The Old Royal Oak, Knaresborough

I thought this was quite smart for a market square pub, which can often be a little rough and smell of cigarette smoke on customers' clothes, if not actually drifting in from the doorway. None of that here, I'm pleased to report, and I found things to like in the furnishings and decor, with the bar counter and the floor tiles being particularly attractive. The beer was a choice of Boltmaker or Landlord; I went for the former, which was perhaps not quite on form - could have done with sitting in the cellar a couple of days longer. Could have done with being a bit cheaper too - £2.35 for a half is not a price I am used to paying in Yorkshire. (A pint of Landlord was £2.40 in the Craft Union pub just around the corner!)

First visit for a while and a bit depressing, much as before but with lousy beer quality on this visit, not undrinkable but it only went down with my tastebuds numbed with dry roasted nuts. Mind you every other bugger in the place was on keg, lesson there guys.