Red Lion Inn, Market Drayton

Joule's Brewery tap as described by others, below. On entry we encountered some strange folk: an obnoxious fat dog owner who got stroppy when we sat at 'his' table, a dim barmaid who turned out to be very helpful and some very elderly ladies who didn't understand the concept of waiting to be served. Oh, and the privilege of overhearing the entire briefing that the Commanding Officer of the local TA battalion gave his leadership team – I have the feeling we shouldn't have heard that, though. Three real ales and a 'craft' beer were on draft. I had Joule's IPA, Slumbering Monk and Blond, all in excellent condition, which was to be expected. Food was also good - excellent main courses, though puddings were a disappointment, while dog treats were on the table (in clean bowls) when we arrived. They run regular theme nights and have created a very good facility, well worth expending the energy walking into town to find.

This place seems to have mixed reviews below. I have no idea what the original pub was like but I thought the current main entrance and bar area was rather like a converted stable block. I arrived here mid Wednesday afternoon when any food sales were finished so it didn't strike me as a particularly food orientated sort of place. The bar has two sets of four hand pumps which both had the three regular Joule's offerings and their seasonal Shropshire Hop (£3.10) which was in good nick. I'm not completely dismissive of Joule's beers but just find them a bit dull which in reality applies to the majority of brewers. There are only a few that are outstanding. I thought this one was OK but not as good as some of their other outlets. It felt more like a brewery tap than a pub.

The reviews below give plenty of detail which I'll aim not to repeat. I can't help feeling that despite a large investment and plenty of thought and planning that Joules have fallen a little short with both the Red Lion and the brewery from what could have been fantastic. The Red Lion is effectively a beautiful old building which has been added to and restored almost out of recognition to create an identikit gastropub. You walk into the small bar area, which is the only part of the building not set up for eating although you are more than welcome to sit anywhere just for a beer. The Mouse Room is a large and cavernous space with a mish mash of wooden furniture none of which, on a cursory inspection, bore the iconic mouse of the legendary Robert Thompson of Kilburn. It reminded me of a school dining hall but without the people. The rest of the pub bears the skeleton of the original building in that the small rooms have been essentially maintained but with few other original features in evidence. Despite being aimed at food as well as beer and each table having cutlery and numbers, I couldn't find a menu anywhere so can't comment on what sort of food is offered. Beer on was all from Joules limited, low strength and rather sweet stable: Double Hop, Blonde, Pale Ale and Slumbering Monk. The Pale Ale was in decent nick and is fine for one but I struggle after that. For me, the Red Lion complete with its' range of Joules beers is an opportunity missed and I'll be trying to avoid a return.