The Western, West End, Leicester

A solid looking Victorian pub close to the western bank of the River Soar ,there are two bars,one names The Theatre Bar with a performance area upstairs.On the otherside is a wooden floored tap room with 3 handpumps featuring Steaming Billy brews while the other bar has five guest ales.There was a friendly welcome from the barman and a blanket CAMRA 20p discount for all the PuG team.The furniture was unfussy but there didn't seem to be many original features.Quieter than the city centre pubs,I thought the ale range was decent and my pint of Tipsy Fisherman was in good order.Often in the GBG,worth including on a crawl around the city.

A friendly pub from the Steaming Billy brewery in the backstreets beyond the Grand Union canal. The room on the right was the busier of the two; we trekked round to the other via a narrow passage leading to the loos and, judging by the aroma, there's seems a possibility that not everyone's got there in time! Not pleasant. As for the beer, I was pleasantly surprised to see Long Man Brewery (of Sussex)'s American Pale Ale on the bar, but we'd come for the house ales. We opted for the weakest of the range (Tipsy Fisherman); while ok, it failed to greatly excite. In summary, then: worth a visit if you're in the area but would I trek out of the city centre next time? I'm not sure.

Another excellent beer pub in Leicester but why oh why the banging music on a Saturday afternoon? I had a great pint of Steaming billys Fisherman but towards the bottom of the glass couldn't wait to leave as my ears were bleeding! I'll call again if they turn it down.