The Wheatsheaf (JD Wetherspoon), Stoke Central, Stoke-On-Trent

This is a GBG listed Spoons that was disappointing on the beer front but was nowhere near as busy as the two I had visited earlier. It opened in 1999 and is small for a Spoons but other than that is fairly typical. Ironically this was the only one of three pubs near Stoke Railway Station that was showing the tedious Cup Final, there were about six people watching! The bar has twelve Hand Pumps but three were unused, two were the usual GK Beers, two were ciders and Lymestone Stooker's Ashlar was doubled up. The remaining three had a house beer called the Wheatsheaf something or other, Titanic Captain Smith and Springhead Drop O' The Black Stuff. I went for the Captain Smith which was in good nick. I also had something to eat with the pint which was fine. Despite being a regular GBG entry the beer choice let this place down for me.

A single storey Spoons, with a terracotta painted interior. I noticed a hand painted mural on the ceiling at the main entrance. The ale of interest on this visit was RCH brewery East Street. There was also a Titanic ale on handpump, didn't see the logic there, with the White Star only round the corner. The customers were mostly middle aged and sensible, didn't notice any outstanding characters about the place.

Fairly mundane and run of the mill Wetherspoons fayre with all the usual fixtures and fittings. Although the pub is not large by any standards there was an interesting array of cask beers on display.

The Wheatsheaf is situated in a prominent position on church street looking up to london road. Once inside this is a fairly small Spoons by their standards,the room is L shaped with the bar facing,the left side had tall tables and chairs with small ones on the right side. I have been in lots of Spoons but have never seen a dart board or table skittle table in any but this one had both and the dart board was in use. There were two bannks of six pumps on the bar with two unclipped and two with waiting,this left eight real ales,i had a drink of Titanic Full Steam Ahead this was a very nice well kept beer,the other beers i noted were Lymestone Stone Gold,Oxfordshire Hibernation,Exmoor Beast,Bass,GK Abbot and Ruddles best. My only moan was having my beer served in a plastic glass because Stoke were at home,the two friendly bar staff said this was not of their choice,they also said only plastic glasses today but you can have a steak knife !!. As far as Spoons go i quite liked this one and would happily return here. Pub visited 12/1/2013