Old Black Horse Inn, Leicester

An Everards pub in a pretty Leicestershire village. Quite large and modernised inside but fairly well done, with a number of ex-rooms (five?) over a couple of levels. There’s a mix of quarry tile flooring and carpet, whilst the paintwork is mainly a bluey green Farrow & Ball job. Perhaps the wood panelling would have been better varnished rather than painted. A mention for the garden, which has nice views over the rolling fields. Community-oriented, I noted that they were hosting a photography competition as well as a Play Your Cards Right event (right up my street!). 7 pumps with 6 on, the standards from Everards plus guests from Joules and Burton Bridge. Sampled Everards Old (lived up to its name, NBSS 2), Tiger (3), Beacon (2.5) and Suffragette (3.5). It’s a decent all-rounder, shame the beer quality wasn’t quite top-notch enough to make it more essential.

Down to earth local pub with good selection of ales, front bar has tables of varying sizes and a certain feel that it is missing a dartboard (a couple of us said that, strange), carpetted rear bar has the feel of a snug but houses a huge plasma. Surprisingly large live music schedule for a relatively small place. Nice to hear the friendly barmaid admit to being unsure about one of the beers only because ‘I haven't tried that one yet'. Old Rosie, Everards Tiger, Sunchaser, Beacon, Acorn Sovereign, Tring Jenny's Yarn, Burton Bridge Sovereign Gold.