The Lodge, Stoke-On-Trent

10 hand pulls split across two sides of the bar (serving different rooms) - a bank of five on each. All real ales around £3.50 a pint. A good mix of safe bets (Hobgoblin, Bass, Oakham Citra) as well as some more unusual and interesting options. I went for the Marble North-South (which was very nice) and Black Iris Endless Summer. Pub snacks are served - pork scratchings, nuts, etc, in addition to pork pies. Fairly busy on Monday early evening, a good atmosphere, music playing at a sensible volume, and efficient service. The pub has a beer garden which looked to be nicely done. Well worth a visit.

Excellent Good Beer Guide pub, with six interesting real ales on when I visited (and Black Sheep...). Retains two small bars, both traditionally furnished and decorated, and a beer garden at the back with wooden benches (including two exceptionally long ones constructed from old railway sleepers). With the eight handpumps divided between the two counters, most were double clipped so you could see the full range from either side. I went for the Piggin' Saint from Potbelly (£3.20) and sat outside enjoying the autumn sunshine.