Dolphin Inn, 48 St. Michaels St, SHREWSBURY, SY1 2EZ [Map]
01743 247005http://www.thedolphinalehouse.com/ 
12-23 MO-SA (closed MO-WE lunch in winter); 12-22:30 SU
Evening Meals, Real Fire, Beer Garden, Lunchtime Meals, Rail Station Near Pub

A day to remember. That's me consuming my 100th
different real ale in 120 days, October 1995

Tucked away in the back streets of Shrewsbury is this early Victorian gas-lit drinking house. The gaslights still work and produce a very gentle lighting effect in the room. If you're travelling there by train you'll need to head under the railway bridge as you leave the station and you'll find it about half a mile down the road on the left-hand side.

I first visited the pub in around 1995 when I lived in Birmingham and used to make frequent visits to surrounding towns for a night out seeking great beer in decent pubs. The Dolphin was always a regular. I'm pleased to say that after a big refurbishment in 2013 that the pub is still definitely on my list of favourites with an impressive range of Joules beers (some served from unusual pumps) plus a couple of interesting guest ales and a real cider.

There's three bars, each with its own unique atmosphere plus an open fire and wood burner to keep you warm in the winter. Other points of note they've good floor tiles, original wooden floorboards, and if the weather's nice, a pleasant beer garden at the rear. In the 1990's lager wasn't available but these days a full range of beverages are served. Although the emphasis is very much on it being a proper welcoming community local, they do do some food. It's not a huge menu but it's interesting, tasty and filling fayre.