Hamilton Russell Arms in Stockton-on-Tees

Great place,great food,good social distance measures in place,excellent value,staff are polite and friendly,highly reccomended,would reccomend and will return

Lovely welcome from the tall gentleman, great parmos and the teenager was impressed with the burger. Potato skins on the small side considering the price. Nice beer garden.

We were very happy with the service, especially as we sat outside. The food in general was nice, however the vegan burger was poor. A homemade bean burger or falafel burger would be much more appreciated than a frozen Quorn burger.

Poor food, steak was as tough as roadkill.Wife doesn’t like me complaining so had to deal with it. Service took forever, waited 20 minutes for a glass of wine to arrive.On a positive note starters were very tasty. Don’t think we’ll be visiting again.

Their Steak and Ale pie is excellent, the menu is varied and the staff are very friendly and courteous

Just had our first order delivered. Excellent food, will definitely be ordering again. Highly recommend.

Ordered a family meal from this pub tonight. It was ready exactly on time, delivered covid safe to our car in the car park. Food was beautiful absolutely faultless. We ordered three chicken dishes with starters, chicken was delicious, roasted vegetables beautiful, sauce delicious and lots of it. Lovely fries. Excellent value for money

Ordered from uber eats twice now from here and the food was lovely both times! They delivered on time if not earlier both times too so fantastic all round

Best Parmo and chunky chips for years . Really good quality food and attention to detail. Food was piping hot when delivered . We ordered two parmo's with chunky chips , Pizza and veggie burger . All very good . Will use again

This place is excellent. Large menu and food is very tasty. The place has a homely feel and is in a nice little area

Dined here for evening meal and we all had delicious hot food. The menu has a hood variety and tables were well spaced out. Will definitely return.

I think the Hamilton Russell is a shining example of how eating out should be during Covid. They have reduced the number of tables to allow for space between parties. They have automatic hand gel dispensers everywhere. The staff are using masks etc. But despite having to juggle all of that, the food was as delicious as ever. I’m vegetarian and they have the best choice of vegetarian food I’ve seen on a pub menu. Very impressed!

We booked a table on the 25th of August for a table on the 31st of august to make use of the eat out scheme. We booked 9 people inc wheelchair access and two high chairs. As we got their we were turned away as the person that booked us in for the wrong time with out wheelchair access. We are regular customers that always book wheelchair access. Please ask me why I would book a table without wheelchair access and for four people when their is either 5 or 9 or us. Absolutely disgusted that they could not sort anything out for us especially with their mistake and we had to feed two toddlers, 1 child and a disabled person. We wont be back.

Thought we’d take advantage of the Eat Out scheme so booked a table for lunch. We all just had a main course as we were told they needed the table for another booking. Pleasant enough food. Would have spent more on a pudding but as we had to vacate the table we didn’t. So they missed out on additional money. Something to think about when doing future bookings. As a result couldn’t give 5 stars.

Have eaten here many times and had take away a during lockdown. We booked a table on Monday 24th August for Wednesday 26th August and received an email the following day stating they were ‘fully booked’. Not happy, I feel as though they may have got a larger booking and cancelled us for them. Maybe a telephone call would have been more respectable towards us.

We visited here during the “Eat out to Help Out” tour, where me and a friend met up for a well needed catch up. We were shown to our seats by a young waitress and she was fantastic whilst taking our orders, by giving us recommendations on what to have from the menu.My friend opted for bruschetta for starter, whilst I had the Cajun potato skins and for main, my friend had Thai green curry and I got recommended the chicken enchiladas.Food wise it was amazing. After finishing our meal we decided not to have a dessert, but as time went on, we changed our mind and asked the waitress if we could order desserts and she happily took our order. This is where we left on a sour note. The desserts came at 7:40 and by 8 o’clock a different waitress came over and said we would have to leave and finish our drinks outside because the table was booked for 8 o’clock. Now we understand the nature of the eat out to help out scheme will mean our time would be limited, but not once where we told we had a set time. We didn’t get told before or after any of our courses. We ended up leaving half of our drinks as we didn’t want to be outside. We would of rated this visit 5 stars but due to what we have mentioned above it has to be 4 stars.

Just finished an amazing Sunday lunch at home that was delivered promptly and was absolutely outstanding, everything packaged properly to keep the heat in. The portion sizes appeared to be bigger than in the actual restaurant when we’ve been in, will definitely make this a regular thing, looking forward to the next time already.

Booked for 1.45pm Actually got the meal at 3pm. Very long time to wait with a baby. Meals looked lovely. However I personally do not like vegetables that are hot but nearly raw. The meat was fine.

First time here invited by family. One of the best Sunday lunches I've had. Pork so succulent. Veg beautifully cooked. Gravy gorgeous. Service excellent and very friendly. Cant understand the poor reviews?I will definitely Italy be back

Possibly one of the worst parmos I've had. The breadcrumb was soggy and tasteless. The chicken was real and moist but very uneven over an inch thick in some places and a centemeter in others which lead to uneven bech placement. The bech was tasteless and very thick felt really horrid in the mouth. The cheese looked like the pre grated type that doesn't melt very well very plastic and again tasteless. The only saving grace was the sweet potato fries. Won't be ordering again

Terrible service. We booked a table for 3pm arrived at 3pm and were told the table is not ready. We were shown to the back part of the restaurant and left for 20minutes. The waitress asked “are you with the party of 14?” When we replied no after waiting 20minutes we finally ordered food and drinks! Took another 15minutes for the drinks to come, at which point the rowdy table of 14 began to arrive, I could not even hear myself think. The table they had given us was definitely an after thought as they did not have ours ready. We waited 1 hour for our food to come before paying for the drinks and leaving. When we came to the bar and said we were not staying for the food the bar staff did not even care to ask WHY?! She shrugged and took our money No apologies nothing. RUDE staff who are too busy gossiping to clear tables, serve drinks or think about customers. Would definitely not recommend anyone to visit here!!!

never again will I come here food was awful watery tastless curry,and partners food was awful aswell both meals were just to.say warm wont be returning.

Poor value for money...4 tiny sandwiches 3 cakes and 1 scone...only came the once with tea n coffee no refills had to ask for milk...at £15 a head ,daylight robbery

Visited The Hamilton Russell Arms for Sunday lunch and really enjoyed it. I had a small lunch, the rest of my family had large, there wasn’t a vast difference in the size the main difference being my whole dinner was brought plated up and their veg was brought separately, I would say the beef wasn’t fresh cut from a joint, it was, I would say, from a packet, the veg was freshly cooked and not mushy, rather more al dente, which I like. The service was excellent all of the staff were very friendly and the best thing is it’s dog friendly, a room is set aside for people who have dogs with them and if the pub is busy anyone needing to sit in that particular area is advised it is the dog friendly area so animals may be present and the dogs weren’t made to feel as if they were only accepted inside under sufferance, which was important to us. They also ticked another of my boxes, they serve decaf cappuccino, so with a lovely dessert of creme brûlée, which was small but lovely after eating a Sunday lunch, it was well worth the visit and will do so again, definitely.

Went here today and had to wait 40 mins for Sunday lunch to arrive it was nice but my friends said the beef was dryWe then ordered desert and one of us get crem brûlée's well the portion was a disgrace my 8 month old granddaughter would of eaten three plus it was £5.50 and when the pavlova came it's was just slip on a plate we mentioned it to the staff who just shrugged there shoulders such a shame this place has always been nice but they really let us down today

Visited the Hamilton Russell many times over the years but not for a good while. Late Thursday PM, therefore not busy. We ordered fish and chips, small - although not small price at £9.95 and scampi @ £12.50. The fish didn’t seem to have been freshly battered, very flat as if it was purchased pre battered, only approx 20% fish. The scampi was tasteless and at a cost of over £12, you would think a high quality scampi could be purchased. We mentioned our disappointment and was offered a replacement but we were put off entirely, both meals weren’t good.

I lived in Stockton for over 5 years and never once realised this place existed. I was recently invited, by one of my long term friends to meet for Sunday lunch and wow, was so surprised. It was very quiet when we first arrived at 12noon but by 2pm, it was full. The food was great - I have the vegetarian parmo and my daughter, had the Yorkshire pudding starter (as she's only 3). The rest of the group (7 in total) all enjoyed their meals and we pushed the boat out, to have a pudding too :)

Service was good, food was not. I got a parmo and it tasted of nothing and very stodgy. I won’t be back I don’t think.

been here many times and overall its been good, apart from a cpuple of widweek visits which were mediocre. Waiting times do vary, waited 40 mintues recently but they were very busy. Be sure to reserve a table, i got there on a sunday at 12.30 and managed to grab the last table. Sunday dinner is one of the best ive had, will be back again!

The service was good, the food was piping. I just thought the chicken on my chicken Parmesan was too thick, overall good experience

I was sceptical because of the bad reviews but came to check it out anyway. I was pleasantly surprised on how tasty and fresh the food was! Service was fast and plenty of vegetarian options :)

We often have meals here and are normally happy but today we went in for lunch as we often do we walked around and most of the tables were reserved so we sat in one that did not have a reserved sign if any kind so we sat down and ordered. We were then told the table we were sat at was reserved but they had ran out of signs. We are not mind readers and a simple paper sign stating reserved would have saved us a lot of embarrassment at having to leave our table after we had ordered. I will not be visiting again

Heard on the grapevine it had improved, 8 of us had lunch and it was one of the worst meals ever. Rolls were hard and mostly inedible. Risotto was a tasteless mush. Also shocked at the price of a small latte coffee.

Scampi and chips arrived extremely quickly probably within 10 mins BUT the meal wasn’t up to much .... Scampi very watery and chips dark brown and soggy loads of extraneous salad though which I could have done without. Perhaps a bit more time in preparation would be better as I’m not used to ‘Fast Food’

We visited the Hamilton Rustle on Parmo night which was delicious. Food was spot on very tasty well presented and staff were great, atmosphere was very good. We would recommend a visit. They do a lot more meal deals on other nights.

Always come here. Lots of drink variety to choose from. Our food was gorgeous and the passion fruit panna cotta was the best I’ve ever had Xxx

This is the second time we have been here ... on both occasions we were in seconds shown to our seats and staff took our drinks order within a couple of minutes ... food delicious ... staff very polite and efficient

Recently visited this pub for some tea with family great meal as always the chicken Parmesan was lovely! Great food in nice surroundings will be be back soon.

It looks like the Hammy Russell have revived their afternoon tea which is lovely.. priced at £15 each. We thoroughly enjoyed our visit but would’ve liked more slithers of sandwich. Scones were made fresh and the desserts were delicious. Refillable tea or coffee. Waitress was pleasant and polite. Would certainly return again for another afternoon tea treat!

Called into the pub this afternoon and ordered the thai chicken curry, it was the most tasteless and bland curry I have ever had. There was also very little of it. No members of staff asked how our meals were, we went to pay and even then no one asked how our meal was. Definitely won’t be recommending or returning.

We booked a table well in advance for Sunday lunch today. Our table was ready on our arrival and our drinks delivered to our table promptly and then our food order was taken. Nothing extraordinary was ordered just three Sunday lunches. After 30 minutes we ordered more drinks and were told lunch would be about 10minutes as they were busy, which they were. After another 20 minutes we enquired again and were told they were very busy and it wouldn't be too long. A group arriving at their reserved table next to us were being told that there was a one hour wait for food. When ours still hadn't arrived 10 minutes later we had to leave as by now we were due somewhere else. Why do you accept so many bookings when the kitchen obviously can't cope. It's not as if we just walked in for a table that day. Very unprofessional.

We have been to the Hamilton Russell on many occasions and have had some excellent meals however this is the second review that has not been complimentary.

Been there a few time’s but tonight I was disappointed with the Parmo very tuff to cut they did apologise to me.

I have visited this put from time to time over the years but I have never eaten, I don't know why as it is only a 5 min drive but glad we ate yesterday. I chose the small Sunday roast, trust me it wasn't small !! The food was exceptional & excellent value. The service was professional friendly & with a smile, although we waited a little longer than you would expect, it was well worth it & they were busy being a Sunday lunchtime, so the wait can be forgiven.

I attend this pub regularly and have done over the last 2 years as its a short walk down the cycle route from our house.

We really enjoyed my partners birthday celebration in this lovely country pub. The service was attentive, friendly by all the staff and the food was great value, the portions are really generous. We will definately go back and tell our family and friends what an enjoyable experience we had. Nice to be served by staff who really want you to have a good time.

We had the large meat feast parmos, they were out of this world by the far one of the nicest we've had, lovely home cooked chunky chips, which we were unable to finish due the size of the parmos, we all chose the creamed cabbage, again it was so so nice, it's the 1st time we've had creamed cabbage made with savoy cabbage, it was again very very nice. All served piping hot.

I last visited this pub in the earl 1980's. Yesterday we got back. The place has changed considerably.

Visited on Father’s Day- booked weeks in advance for a sitting. Got a great table which was big enough for our party of five (it wasn’t just a table for 4 with one chair added to the end which can happen in some pubs when it’s busy).

We love the Hamilton Russell!!!! We have been here a good number of times now and it never disappoints.....The staff are unfailingly friendly and helpful and the food is delicious and excellent without being too pricey. There are plenty of tables in this lovely pub but you never feel you are stuck out in public as there are many cosy corners and also a couple of lovely seating areas with cosy sofas where you can relax and chat. It's a little out of area for us but we find ourselves being drawn back as we like it so much....Car parking is good too and not far from the Thorpe Thewles/Castle Eden Walkway where you can walk off the calories or build up an appetite!!

Called in at lunchtime, it was fairly quiet and service was quick. Good sized pub.

The title says it all.... staff were outstanding ... great conversations... love the idea of the bespoke ale.... great food... we will b back !

Lovely place. Staying at Thorpe thewels lodge and came here for drinks and food. The drinks menu was excellent and the seafood risotto was absolutely amazing xxx

Great food at a good price, staff helpful and friendly, especially with a table of seven trying to order food and drinks.

We walked here a group of us with kids, it was a gorgeous sunny day! Sat outside, fab park close by for the kids.

A large family gathering of us met for birthday lunch. It was 24th March this year. We had a choice from the main menu and Sunday lunch menu. We all got served our meal together and it was very good

Looking for somewhere to go for tea me and the current Mrs G decided to go to the Hamilton Russell; we had not been there for years.

We came along for the Mothers Day Breakfast. I had the full English breakfast which was really good with toast and tea. My wife had the eggs benedict which was also thoroughly enjoyed. Great service and attention to detail. I'm going to have to walk the dog for miles after that. Set up for the day!

Staff were excellent as always. Karen was on fire 🔥 and and absolute delight. Very friendly and helpful with choices. Cannot recommend this pub enough. 5 star rating.

Was recommended to try the Hamilton Russell and definitely won’t be back....wow where do I start !!

Unfortunately for the hamilton Russel this is the second bad review I have had to write ... Throughout our visit the frizzy haired female looked to be one of the supervisors was rude and unprofessional, from our group of 6 people we chose three meals that had been taken from the menu as they had ran out , then the same happened with the deserts ... This place is going to the dogs with staff as mentioned above and the lack of food stocks...

Average food beer ok Somewhere to go as a default little better than a sizzlerpub Service the only thing that's out standing along with the giant they have .

We used to come here regularly a few years ago when it was special. Unfortunately it seems as if it is now living on its past reputation as a good grub pub. It isn't! Not any more it isn't, not by a long way. I ordered the steak and ale pie and was asked by a pleasant waitress if I wanted chips or mash. I ordered chips. My husband ordered sea bass

Visited the Hamilton Russell for the first time recently during a weekend away.

First time in years I went here, what a disappointment prices high, food, dry and bland... Big disappointment..

I wrote a review a few months ago celebrating the success of the Sunday dinners. We eat here very regularly. I have to sadly say that both the service and the dinners seem to have gone downhill. Service slowed and whilst we were initially looked after, after becoming more regular, it seems that little things are ignored. Such as asking for mint sauce which tends to arrive when you are more than already half way through your lunch. Also, much of the veg has been grossly undercooked - to the point of being inedible. Service just slowed right down and we felt we were an inconvenience. We are now looking for a new haunt for Sundays. Shame really, as it was good in the first instance.

took ages for food to come which it was tasteless and overpriced for what we got. won't be going back wouldn't recomend

Arrived at 2.00 Sunday 27th January for husband birthday order drinks and ordered meal at 2.20 waited 45 minutes and they came to the table to say there was no lamb which 4 people had ordered so ordered beef instead had to ask them when the meal was coming they said we was next table finally got served at about 3.50 the beef was ok but the pork loin wasn't great big chunks not sliced and fatty what got me annoyed someone came in over an hour and a bit after us and got served just after us .There was lots of carrots not many greens .we paid the bill they didn't ask how it was .I didn't study the bill enough when I got home noticed they had charged us for 4 lamb which was more expensive than the beef won't be going back there again

My wife and I have eaten here on numerous occasions for dinner and teatime lunch so thought we would try Sunday Lunch. It was quite a busy service with a lot of reserved tables however we managed to get a table and ordered 2 roast beef lunches. The meal was just ok, small portions in my opinion, 1 new potato and 2 roast potatoes and a small amount of other veg. We had to ask for more gravy which came and was not enough for two of us, however the roast beef was the worst part of the meal, really fatty and chewy with no taste whatsoever. This one instance will not put us off revisiting but come on Hamilton Russell, start to put quality before quantity or your reputation will soon diminish.

We have used this pub for nearly 40 years on and off and have seen some significant changes over the years . What hasn't changed is the quality of the food and drink. Consistently good food at a fair price point and good [if a little expensive] drinks.

Large pub and restaurant. Usually has an open fire burning away in winter. Leather sofas to enjoy your drink while you wait for the food to arrive. Good menu with plenty of choices, including the Teesside classic Parmo’s.

We were celebrating a birthday and we had been to the restaurant before. We arrive at 1.20 and were seated straightaway.. No one came for our drinks or food order until 1.40!

Visited here for a Sunday meal and wasnt disappointed. Service was relatively quick although the pub was initially busy. Once the order was taken and paid for at the bar drinks arrived fairly promptly. Plus service with a smile. the meal arrived shortly after and was delicious. I will all return here for a meal that is a cut above.

We came on a Monday before Christmas with another couple and the place was empty only a couple of tables taken. We ordered and the food came quickly no problem it was well cooked and tasted fine.

Very disappointing meal here over the Xmas period. I ordered something different from the usual Xmas offer and went for a main course Nachos with pulled pork. What arrived was horrendous... overdone and dried up nachos with hardened cheese. The ‘pulled pork! Instead of being shredded was five large fatty dried cubes plonked on top. Even the waitress was horrified. The manager removed it from the bill when told but how was such a revolting dish ever allowed to leave the kitchen.

We have visited this place many times in the past and have always been satisfied.

Normally I would have given a higher star rating however, as a family of five including two five year olds we had to wait nearly an hour after placing order. Had we been informed of the wait we would have moved on to somewhere nearby where the food is just as good and more reasonably priced.

Came today 8 members of my family , service was good but food was dire for the price , especially my meal steak n ale pie it was terrible like eating cardboard with 6 bad potatos. Won’t come again

Been here 3 times in thge last month on spur of the moment lunch's with my wife. As title good. Would reccomend the spare ribs, brilliant.

Eat Sunday lunch most Sundays, I cannot rate the place enough. The food is great, the staff are fab and the crème brulee desert is to die for. I would highly recommend the Hamilton Russell.

Been coming here for a few weeks now and Sunday dinners are wonderful. Really can’t fault it at all. Best dinner around here by far.

I am always dubious about eating out for Sunday lunch, but it was absolutely delicious! Brilliant value for money and so tasty, the sticky toffee pudding is a must! Heaven!

Visited Hamilton And Russell for afternoon tea with my daughters for a birthday treat for one of them . I was very impressed with the service ,but unfortunately not with the produce that i was given .The sandwich must of been made for a while as the bread was curling at the corners and the filling tasted cheap . The cream on the deserts was melting before we could get round to eat them which in my opinion is the sort of cream which comes out of a can . But what really surprised me was the amount of money which it cost.I had a two for one voucher and it still cost £30. If i had to pay £60 for the four of us i would of been really and madly dissappionted

Went as a family of six and we have been visting this place for many years but after a break of not eating here for a while as last meals were very poor we decided we would go back. Wish we had not as very poor meal for father in law, sent it back and it came out again just as bad if not worse. Other meals were ok but nothing like it used to be a few years back. Very disappointed and going by recent reviews it seems to have gone down hill.

The portion size of the deserts has shrunk terribly in the last 2 months, we are regular visitors and find this terrible as rumours say the kitchen is employing apprentices rather than trained chefs .....

Tasteless food parmo tasteless and Thai curry really watery and rice was half boiled would not go again and would not recommnend

Booked for an early Sunday dinner,very disappointed with the amount of meat we got.It seemed as though they where not sure if they had enough and where rationing the early diners.It was not even in slice just one bit of Beef and one of Pork.I will admit that this is the first time i have found the pub lacking which is a shame.I just hope it was a one off.

Called in on-spec for Sunday lunch. It was later in the day (around 4pm). Still had pork or lamb to choose from. My mother only eats chicken and the lovely gentleman checked with the kitchen and said that they were happy to provide chicken although it would be grilled not roasted.

This place always appears to busy so gave the Sunday lunch a try . Waited 45 minutes for 2 beef lunches (wasn’t advised there was a wait by staff ).

7 of us turned up tonight without a reservation at 6pm after being let down by another pub. We were shown to our table straight away, orders taken for drinks and food by a pleasant member of staff. Food was lovely, really enjoyable and served nicely. Staff was attentive throughout. Will definetely return.

Lovely little pub in Thorpe Thewles. We had the afternoon tea which we found to be absolutely gorgeous. Presentation was fab! Thoroughly enjoyed and will recommend to others, also we will be back!

Used to frequent this popular pub regularly however since becoming dog owners & it not being dog friendly (shame as the interior lends itself well to a doggie & well behaved owner section!) we've moved on....! However, it was a lovely night so we were able to sit on the terrace with Pooch so all good! This is a lovely area with new furniture & AstroTurf & is also non-smoking which is great. We ordered drinks & chose the Deep Fried Brie & The Scallops to start. Both were nicely presented & homemade however I personally prefer my black pudding a bit crispy but still enjoyed them. We then both had the Steak & Ale Pie.....the choice of chips, French Fries, new potatoes or Sweet Potato is good & also served with a selection of vegetables. The pie is excellent....genuine homemade with a rustic finish & packed full of tender, braised beef. Really delicious & deceptively large! The service was friendly & quick & we will defenitely return........hope they put heaters on the terrace in the Winter!!!

Was a lovely relaxed evening. Plenty of people in for a Tuesday night. The place was very calm and relaxing. The waitress was very helpful and our food was cooked just as we ordered.

Visited for a meal with family. Great food and excellent service from waitering and bar staff. Very good value for money too.

This pub/restaurant has always previously been a treat to come to so when I visited yesterday I was a little bit disappointed that the huge selection of meals has vastly been reduced to having just three specials on the board and then only about 20 dishes on the main menu.

After a superb meal 5 months ago we decided to meet up again at Hamilton Russell Arms as its central for us all.We booked for Fri 20th,we sat down and ordered drinks which took ages to come,the place was busy but not slammed.We ordered our food 4 of us had starters,potato skins x2 scotch egg and i had scallops all of these went down well and were very tasty the black pudding with the scallops was lovely,we then got our mains which is were the quality went down for 3 of us,the haddock dish,the steak pie were enjoyed by two,the risotto was ok but stodgy,the burger was a bit tasteless,the large dish of thai curry was good but my friend was glad he got the large bowl as the small must have been tiny and my lamb koftas were rubbish.My plate was 50% lettuce and 50% rice with an average pitta bread cut in half on top of the rice 5 or 6 cherry tomatoes,a small pot of mint yoghurt and two and a half koftas it looked like someone had had a bite from one of them,for £12 i thought this was rubbish value.We ordered more drinks which again took a while to come and by this time there was hardly anyone in the place so no reason for the delay and when the lad brought them he passed them round holding the glass around the top,not very hygienic.We plan to meet up every 2-3 months but won't be going back,as i say we had a superb meal there in Feb but this was very poor.

Visited weekday evening, strong smell of food as you walk in, they do lots of fish dishes and as my husband hates the smell I took advantage of being with a friend and ordered a seafood risotto. I wasnt disappointed it was lovely. They do lots of other dishes but I probably wouldn't go with my husband as you can smell fish which is fine unless you hate it. It was a lovely pub inside and I would go again with my friend and try something else as you are spolit for choice with the menu.

We've been a couple of times and had a nice experience but this was disappointing.

We went for dinner for a family reunion. There was one vegetarian and some plain eaters. Everyone was catered for and the food was delicious. The staff were very welcoming. Would return the next time we are in the area.

Enjoyed a hot shot parmo. My wife had Thai green chicken curry and my dad had fish n chips. All excellent. I love my parmos and have tried them everywhere. This place is hard to beat