Coopers Tavern, Burton On Trent Town, Burton on Trent

Coopers Tavern is tile floored Joule’s pub with seating in the front right window adjacent to a log fireplace on the right wall over which a Joule’s Brewery etched mirror hangs. Seating continues up the right to an inside-outside window and adjacent door that leads to an interesting bar area where the four hand pumps on the counter were drawing Slumbering Monk, Pale, Blonde and Talus Golden Ale. There’s also a line of jacketed barrels on stillage across the rear, most if not all were Bass. In the corner to the right of the bar is some high throne like seating and a banquette is found on the right-hand wall. There’s also a room at the front to the left of the entrance, but I didn’t enter because it was full of people playing Dungeons & Dragons. This is certainly a unique pub with some age and all the pub ephemera on the walls adds to the visitors experience. I’m not sure why a Joule’s pub is flogging so much Bass, but I had a decent pint of it and the guy on duty seemed nice enough, so I think a revisit is on the cards.

The Coopers Tavern is located just off the main Station Road on a side street. It is another pub that doesn't open during the day in the week. However, it was worth the wait for its 5pm opening time. I arrived just before 5 to become the first customer of the evening, earning me a place in the tiny tap room at the far end. Another couple soon arrived and shortly after we were joined by another guy who filled us in with some more details of the axe-laden woman who had run amok in the centre earlier that morning, smashing lots of windows! The Coopers Tavern is full of character and is clearly the highlight of any trip to Burton. Before reaching the tap room at the rear of the pub, there is a lounge at the front of the pub and a corridor with a few other rooms either side. I do love a pub with lots of different rooms, as you can have a different drinking experience on each visit. Sadly I live too far away to make this place a regular haunt. If there is a negative, it is probably the fact that this is a Joule's pub. Whilst I have nothing against Joule's, it does limit the beer range a little. Joule's Pale Ale & Slumbering Monk are the regular beers, as is Bass. Their Calcutta 1757 & Mosaic Pale were also available, along with 2 guests - Dancing Duck Ay Up & Kelham Island Pale Rider. Beers are served either by handpull or gravity. Boxed ciders were Lilley's Mango Cider, Broadoak Sloe Gin Cider, Healey's Rattler & Abrahall's AM. My Mosaic Pale was a decent drop and I think that I arrived at just the right time to grab the best seat in the house. Had I not had more pubs and a football match to visit, I could have happily stayed here all evening and soaked up the atmosphere.