Crown & Sceptre, Bowbridge, Stroud

Scruffy boho pub up the hill, run by Stroud Brewery. Enter to a porch with a startling leopard print wallpaper (!). Characterful inside (‘The walls display an eclectic mix of framed prints, many of vintage motorcycles, and old film posters, and the ceiling of the side room is covered with band posters’), a tight left-sided Y shape bar with an area off right. Almost all tables set for dining despite most being unoccupied at 1pm. Pasties (unpriced) and rolls (£2.50) at the bar – despite asking for (and pointing at) the Thai chicken pasty I ended-up with cheese. Four cask (GBG’23 listed), 2x Uley, a Stroud and another I forgot to note plus a cider. My Uley Pig's Ear was getting on a bit but just about hit par (NBSS 3). Went outside to the scruffy grassed garden was then subjected to the self-absorbed banal Loaded-era witterings of the arrested development Gen X Guardianista clientele. I wanted to like it here but it wasn’t to be on this occasion. I might give it another go.

On my mid-afternoon arrival, the Friday lunchtime crowd were attempting the crossword but, apart from myself, there were no others in yet - a few more turned up later. They're a good crowd, though I found that you do need a tolerance for strong language at times. Internally, you'll find 3 or 4 different seating areas with tables, as well as stools at the bar along with a friendly barman. 4 ales and a cider were offered at the bar, but craft keg has yet to arrive. The Uley Bitter, my first pint, was on top form, as you'd expect. There's also the same brewery's Pig's Ear, plus one each from Stroud and Bristol Beer Factory. Food extends to Sunday roasts, but a simple cheese and ham toasted sandwich hit the spot for me. It's a hike from the town centre, and Stroud is certainly a hilly place, but it's well worth the effort.