November 18, 2009
Wonderful jewel in the most unexpected of places. A true-to-its-name pub makes me feel like I’m in the middle of London, not Sarasota.

May 25, 2009
the beer selection was excelent, but i must have picked a bad day to go. when i went inside it smelled like vomit and was very hot. the outside was very good around the fire and there was a band playing. i went late so i had no food but overall the place was decent.

May 16, 2009
What a find!! I have to say that my first and only trip there, yesterday, I went with the wife and my three boys. When we tried going there a couple weeks ago, we found that they didn’t open until 5pm on Friday, and we were hours early. So we made plans to go back on account of being told that their pizza was great, and they had a good selection of beers. We weren’t disappointed. Walking in, I realized that there was no a/c, and the place was pretty warm. Being a fat guy, living in Florida, I’d prefer an ice cold atmosphere, but that should be my only complaint. I talked to the bartender, and he stated we could order from him. The family was getting a couple of looks, and I asked if it was ok that the kids were in there. He said technically, not really, but that it would be ok if we cleared out before the bands started playing around 8pm. We had no problem with that. He was nice enough to hook up a keg of root beer for the kids and wife, and pointed me in the direction of a very tasty IPA on tap. W

February 20, 2009
This is my kind of bar. Easily one of my world favorites, not just FLA. Atmospheric and dedicated to fun as well beer. Cavernous and dripping with character. More like an old house than a bar, it’s got different rooms, wooden floors, and feels cozy but alive. We pulled up in 35-degree weather and there was a bonfire going in the backyard. Inside there was no heating because this was rare weather for Florida. We shivered in one of the small back rooms that has a sofa and chair, skiing gear, and a hand-written sign saying "No Crack Smoking." We did refrain to be polite. They do allow ciggy smoking in here, tho. Billiards table. The staff loves beer and is knowledgeable. The first thing you see when you walk in is a wall of beer, and tap and bottle lists are more extensive than I expected. You’d be a douchebag not to like this place. I could move in.

January 22, 2009
Very nice - probably my #2 beer bar in FL, behind Redlight and not counting Abbey in Deland (never been). They had three new beers on tap for me, which is very unusual for Florida. Great tap list, very extensive bottle list. Great atmosphere - like a cross between a roadhouse and a cottage. This place is well worth a visit - lots of character and a great beer list.

April 10, 2008
When Brooklyn Brewmaster Garrett Oliver came to Florida last month he had just one stop on his agenda....Sarasota’s Cock & Bull Pub. Listed as the #6 Beerbar in the Country, its no surprise that this was the perfect venue for his latest of beer dinners. A six course meal each paired with a Brooklyn beer on tap, sold out in just 4 days. This is hands down the finest place to quaff some Bkly’n or any of the 630 offerings . A thousand thank you’s to the C & B for taking a crazy gamble 11 years ago!!

April 5, 2008
There is no guessing there were renovations as there are 30 drafts and 8 doors full of bottled beer. These are oversized doors 7 shelves in each. Bombers, 750s, regular bottles, sakes, ciders, and more than I can remember. The bar is smooth slabs of aged oak, there is a beautiful polished tree between the bar and the cash register. A glass rinser for pre-Belgian pours,. cooper drip trays, and organized beer selection make this the best bar I’ve ever visited. You must check this place out. I’ll be back in November and I’ve been told to call ahead to get my holiday order reserved. Looking forward to perusing the vintage beer menu that was only half done while I was in town.

December 30, 2007
Well, maybe I just picked the wrong time to go here but time was limited so, I got there at opening on Friday afternoon and found three beers on draft: Dogfish head Punkin and Festina Peche and Carlsberg. Guy behind the counter seemed completely uninterested in answering my questions as to what they had, ended up leaving with a few things I coudn’t get here in GA, but the place seemed pretty underwhelming. I’m guessing they were undergoing some pretty big renovations, so I’ll visit again next time in town and hope it’s a little more rewarding.

September 14, 2007
Fantastic little pub in industrial area. Dark wood and comfy seats abound. Cool beer knick knacks all over. Pool table, darts, and a hockey game. Three times I went to the bar I was helped by a different, knowledeable person. I didn’t have to repeat my likes, they appeared to have discussed me. I had Post Road Pumpkin draft and Paulaner Salvator followed by a bottle of Rochefort 8. Had a plain cheese pizza that was excellent. HIGHLY RECOMMEND.

August 27, 2007
Found this place from the *other* beer site magazine and visited while on vacation. Amazing and essential are well deserved here where I couldn’t find a good beer for a week. They were undergoing some construction but still had 17 drafts. Laguintas, Rogue Glen, Hazed, the most known beer was Samuel Adam’s Cherry Wheat, which I’ve never seen draft outside of home before. Pizza with oysters and Steelhead Double IPA were perfectly matched and I know understand the gastropub pizza term. The barn held a celeryprocessing plant in the 1930s and still retains the character. I would never say dingy, I’d say well worn maybe rustic or gritty, which is never a bad thing. The fire pit in the giant beer garden was converted to a stage for the summer but I was told it will be back to full by October. I don’t understand the overall 12 and 14 ratings, but it could be due to not trying the pizza. There is no other pub in Florida worth visiting, maybe bars but not pubs and I’ve never seen this selection in a drinking establishment. Yes in big liquor stores but not in a place wehre I can sit and enjoy my beer in the proper glass with people that understand my unique passion. cheers to the folks at The Cock & Bull Pub