New Plough Inn, Hinckley

Official site of New Plough Inn - thenewploughinn.co.uk

Official site of New Plough Inn - thenewploughinn.co.uk

The New Plough is a traditional Marston's pub, all dark wood and carpet with dimmed lighting. At least 5 ales from the 8 pumps attract a local crowd, as do the raffles and quizzes. Ales are currently £4.80, possibly a little on the chilly side, though the cellar is likely cold on this winter's day. It's a late opener, so you might want to check out one or two others before including this in your crawl (and you really should).

Run by the same landlady as the Greyhound just around the corner and with both pubs featuring in the Good Beer Guide, I found the Greyhound to be marginally the better of the two. The main bar area is split into two, but feels quite cosy. With all tables taken, we were pointed in the direction of an overspill area off to the left-hand side where there was plenty more seating. This area contained a dartboard and also a Northants skittles table. Both dogs and children are allowed into the pub. The bar itself is fairly impressive. Of particular note were 4 massive teapots on the top of the bar, 2 in the shape of elephants. As with the Greyhound, the regular beers are Marston's Pedigree & Courage Directors. Tetley's Cask is also a regular beer here. Guest were all from the Goff's Brewery, suggesting that they had recently had a tap takeover - Cheltenham Gold, White Knight, Silent Knight, Jester Brew 20 Raspberry Stout & Jester Brew 32 Gingerbread Stout. I chose the Gingerbread Stout, but disappointingly ended up with the fag end of the barrel. Ciders listed were Lilley's Mango Cider & Bee Sting Perry, Weston's Rosie's Pig Tropical & Thatcher's Stan's Big Apple & Cheddar Valley. Keg ciders from Thatcher's were their Dark Berry, Cloudy Lemon & Blood Orange varieties. The New Plough is certainly worth a visit if in Hinckley. Perhaps I was unlucky with my choice of beer, or perhaps they are trying to stock too big a range.