The Pub, Leicester

It's been 18 months or so since my last visit to Leicester, and on the back of that, I made this my first stop. WOW! How things have changed! Beer range is reduced, the quality is not what it was, and the once popular Oakham house staple, Inferno, is obvious by its lack of prescence.
The decor is now somewhat dingier too.
Pleasant enough barman, not one I remember from my last, distant visit, explained that there had been a change of management about a year ago. Seems that the chap who set this up, originally over the road at Out of the Vaults, had left to go fixing bicycles, or something.
On this evidence, the cyclists gain is the beer drinkers loss.

28 Nov 2014 12:58

Kings, Leicester

A welcoming place, if a little stereotypical of 90's style trad pubs. think the carpet may have been left over from various Green Thing refits!
That said, the real fire and a decent selection of ales, all in good nick, were complemented by a friendly. if slightly brummified welcome from the short, tattooed barman (Matt, I think, was his name).
Good to also see real cider available too! Didn't try the BCA stuff, as it tends to be a tad bland, but a couple of the guests, notably Full Mash and Birds, were very palatable!

28 Nov 2014 12:49

Swan and Rushes, Leicester

Another of Grant Cooke's former establishments. This was his first and probably best, as it was the traditional two room pub layout. A good number of pumps spread over the two bars, like its former sister pub, The Crierion, presents a somewhat reduced range of ales compared to days of old.
Like its former sister pub, this is also run by a manager with a slightly odd persona, though this one, far from not smiling, smiles (or grins) incessantly, only broken by what can only be described as slightly rough and somewhat unfriendly banter. Apparently they are brothers!!
The beer here, whilst boasting a simnilar range to the Crierion, was by no means in the same good condition. Oakham JHB was passable, but by no means what I would expect from one of the countries finest session ales.

28 Nov 2014 12:41