Oscar's Inn, Newark

Oscars is a large pub with picnic tables behind a waist high wall out the front. One of these is huge, I reckon it could sit 16 comfortably. The Peterson bar to the right was empty apart from one customer who was chatting to the governor whilst he moved some tables, I assumed that the room was being prepared for some live entertainment. The Wilde bar to the left was also empty apart from when people came in from the large rear beer garden for service. I counted six hand pumps that were drawing TT Landlord, Thornbridge’s Jaipur and Lucaria, Beermats Brewing’s Razz Mat Tazz, Pheasantry’s BB Best Bitter and Milestone’s Neida Hop. Premium keg was also available, as was food, but there was no sign of a burger on the menu. The mains start at £14, but there is a cheaper lunch menu of sandwiches which are priced around £8. I quite liked it in here and was sure to give the full sized guide dog charity collection box some change, and a pat on the head as I departed with a lovely pint of Jaipur in my belly.

Official site of Oscar's Inn - www.oscarsinn.co.uk

Official site of Oscar's Inn - www.oscarsinn.co.uk

Both bars (Wilde and Peterson) in use, with a good proportion of customers eating (including some tackling the gigantic 16" pizzas). However, I managed to get a table and was pleased to find all six handpumps in use. I went for the Cromwell from Milestone (£4.20), somewhere in the middle of the range between Black Sheep, Citra, Landlord, Summer Lightning and Jaipur.

Busy 2 roomed pub featured in the 2018 Good Beer Guide with a decent ale selection. We enjoyed our Acorn Summer Pale and Bath Gem sat outside, and the massive 16" pizzas coming out on massive square trays looked good too.

Large interwar roadhouse building by a less-than-salubrious bit of Newark, formerly called the Horse & Jockey. Retains its two rooms but is massively upmarket inside. The Wilde room on the right is dining only and most of the Peterson room was also given over to the diners (plenty of them too). I settled in this one, which was divided in half by a set of feature shelves. Also modern laminate flooring, and grey / blue Farrow & Ball paintwork. Perhaps surprisingly it's somewhat of an ale hotbed here with six on; Black Sheep, Thornbridge Jaipur, Oldershaw Blonde, Tollgate California Steam, Salopian Darwin and Full Mash Red Dog (very good nick). Accompanying music was old big band Americana and it created a nice atmosphere at odds with the locale. The barmaids were genuinely friendly too. It's not really a drinkers pub but nonetheless it was a pleasant venue to while away half an hour with a decent ale. I’d recommend a nose in here simply for the choice and quality of the beer. 7.5