The Strugglers Inn, Lincoln

With a pub sign that recalls a time when participants to a hanging employed family and friends to pull on their legs to speed up the inevitable, this place requires a little effort to reach but is certainly worth it, one of the highlights of our crawl. I went for a half of the Vocation Turning Point with no annotations to my notes, so must have been good. A must-visit Lincoln pub.

A consistently excellent pub where the only failing is that it can get a bit full, although there is a good patio garden out the back. Excellent beer selection also, even if I panicked slightly and went with Horncastle Mr Pumpkin Head for some strange reason.

Two bits of news prompted a visit after too long an absence: first, a pub of the year award from local Camra, and second, the long time licensee's retirement this month. It was good to be back, but perhaps our midweek afternoon was a bit of a low key time for a celebratory or farewell visit. My spirits were lifted by the Milestone Honey Porter 4.9%, a beer I hadn't seen for too many years - I'm not a fan of honey beers, but this one hits the spot for me. Other beers (there were seven on, out of 10 hand pumps on the bar) included some from local(-ish) Welbeck Abbey and Ossett, and an IPA from Horncastle which is just up the road. I must remember to come back again soon; I hope nothing too much changes.

Still one of my favourite pubs in Lincoln. Nothing has changed since our last visit, except that maybe a couple of the guest beers are more adventurous. The usual, friendly welcome with people moving up so that you can sit down. Good craic, well kept ale and friendly locals. What more do you want in a pub.