The Swan in the Rushes, Loughborough

For me, the best pub in Loughborough. Two rooms that contained drinkers and a fine selection of Castle Rock ales, including Screech Owl which is one of my favourites. Definitely return to this place.

I remember coming to this one years ago long before a micropub, a Blue Monkey and even JDW came to town. As you would expect from Castle Rock you get an old school multi-roomed traditional boozer. Back in the day this was the real ale venue for Loughborough but now tends to get overlooked, it's not in the 2017 GBG. One plus point for this one is that certainly in the left bar where I went there are no TV screens. Of the nine beers on offer four were from Castle Rock and the five guests were Dukeries De Lovetot, Daleside Stout, Roosters Yankee, Charnwood Vixen and Little Valley Cragg Vale Bitter. I went for the De Lovetot and Cragg Vale Bitter (both 3.20) both of which were excellent. I'm not sure why this one is out of favour, it doesn't sell Bass or Pedigree and doesn't have TVs. My only criticism is that all the guests were around the 4.0% ABV mark. As far as I'm concerned it's well worth visiting.