The Crown Inn, Melton Mowbray

Lovely village pub that felt a bit like being in Last of the Summer Wine. I arrived to a choice of 4 real ales - Grainstore King Charles III (CR3), St Austell Tribute, Banks's Amber Ale & Brain's The Rev James. The Grainstore beer was one I hadn't seen before, but being their Coronation special, I guessed it had been there a while. However, it was being promoted as 'Beer of the Week' and was just £3 a pint. So, they were obviously trying to get rid of it. I ordered a half and the landlord looked at me in disdain as I attempted to pay with card. He was having none of it. An elderly lady arrived in the other room to me and wanted to watch the Derby. It was duly switched on for her. Three other old boys were sat outside at the front of the pub. The guy who ordered for them all only wanted a half as he'd be falling over whilst doing the gardening after 3 pints, whilst a pint of Banks's for anther guy had to be topped up to the brim as he always moaned. The would-be gardener was still served a pint and was being charged for it as I was leaving. I do like a nice village pub like this with character and characters and the Grainstore beer was actually very enjoyable and still in good condition. I'm wondering why this pub has not featured in the Good Beer Guide since 2007.