The King's Head (JD Wetherspoon), Monmouth

Impressive Spoons at the Market Square. Alas, I was that disappointed with a choice of Ruddles, Abbot and Doom Bar that I went in search of better elsewhere. As with many of my endeavors, this proved a mistake.

This Wetherspoon's branch stands on Monmouth's main square overlooking the impressive Shire Hall at the square's centre. The King's Head Hotel itself still has accommodation and retains many of the features of the hotel, with some rather grand rooms in its split-level interior. The bar can be found up a few stairs in a room to the right-hand side. The usual 'spoon's ales were available - Greene King Abbot, Ruddles Best & Sharp's Doom Bar. Sharp's Sea Fury was also on as a guest, alongside Adnams Broadside & Portobello Central Line Red. The cider was Gwynt y Ddraig Black Dragon, which at least gave me the opportunity to avail myself of a CAMRA voucher. In common with all Monmouth pubs, the ale selection was uninspiring, but the interior is certainly of some interest here. If you have time and it is open, the Shire Hall itself is also worthy of a visit to see the town's old courtroom.

Large Spoons which is quite sprawling with lots of odd rooms. Not a great beer choice with only Rev James and Old Hooky alongside the regulars. A great building like this deserves a better beer choice!

This old coaching inn has been closed for most of the year due to structural problems. On my visit it had been open again for just over a week and looked like it had probably been given a complete refurbishment. As noted below there is a bar over to the right and various rooms surrounding it. Although the furnishings are better than average the tables and chairs still seem to be rather crammed in. On My early Tuesday afternoon visit there were lots of people in to eat, the tall tables and chairs were hardly in use. I could see no evidence of a daytime brigade. Although there are twelve hand pumps the beer choice was dismal with the JDW Trio Of Doom plus an extra Abbot doubled, Oakham JHB doubled, one available soon and Shepherd Neame Spitfire. I went for the Spitfire (£2.49) which was well kept but dull so went for the Green Devil bottles. This seems to be a decent well run Spoons but the pathetic beer choice badly lets it down.