Coopers Tavern, Burton On Trent Town, Burton on Trent

This is an excellent pub and is well described below. Visited here twice during our recent trip to Burton for the CAMRA Champion Beer Of Britain lunch and all but one of the pints I tried were top notch. The exception was Thornbridge Chiron which was advertised in the pub as "Real Ale served cooler", so I had a pint, it was keg. So that loses you a point and ruins the track record of all 10's. I was also served Thornbridge Jaipur in a Youngs glass which shouldn't be happening either. Either of those things will lose you points in the CAMRA Pub Of The Year awards, which explains why it's in the CAMRA GBG2014 but isn't up for the major awards. It is a brilliant pub though and a must visit when in Burton.

A little detached corner pub with a painted sign for Bass & Co - Copper's Tavern. The little plain undressed brick Georgian looking build has little other feature, apart from Bass etched windows and white stone window lintels and sills, as well as above the small central entrance. It is now a Joules house with a side patio area. It may not touch the soul from the description, but I tell you, St Peter himself minds these doors on his days off. The interior has a couple of rooms. The front room is an L-shaped room opening to the left and in front of the entrance. This room is in red and white and some white painted wood panel, with a white ceiling. The small area to the left is carpeted while the rest has a tile floor. Electic furniture; red perimeter seating, stools and benches are present with the usual wood tables and there are small fireplaces to the left and right. Bass and Highgate Brewery mirrors are on the walls as well as local photos, especially of the Town Council, which was different. There was no TV or music, except for the piano for any budding Rachmaninov. A brick floored passageway runs through from the side entrance beyond which is the entrance to the back tap room. This room, also devoid of modern distractions is in red and yellow, with a number of barrels as tables. Chalk boards show what beers are on and jugs and beer mats decorate the walls along with more mirrors and photos. The wood panel bar has both gravity and handpull beers. The service was friendly as were the several locals that packed out the small bar. Beer; tap stuff, with ciders, perry and wines. On gravity-serve there is; Joules's Slumbering Monk, Blonde and Pale Ale; Bass, Kelham Island Pale Rider, Worthington White Shield and Oakham JHB. All i tried, which was most in half-pints, were class. Brilliant. Well, better than that. You could stay here all month and not move. More than a must do.

I agree with both Mr Hind and Mr Fastard below. This pub is worth a very long detour for a visit. There really aren't many very traditional Victorian pubs like this one left and this is a very good place for a few top quality beers. The building is cosy and welcoming and the staff friendly. Beers on were Joules Pale Ale and Slumbering Monk, Bass, Thornbridge Jaipur IPA and Chiron, Andwell Spring Twist, Sarah Hughes Dark Ruby Mild, and Triple fff Pressed Rat and Warthog. I'd guess that the first 3 are the regulars. They're served either on handpump or from the barrel and everything we tried, however it was served, was in excellent condition. Again, Joules range isn't broad but their pubs really know how to look after beer. A must visit.

In my opinion THE best pint of draught Bass in the land. Straight out of the barrel and apparently the lager is top notch also. Worth a day trip to Burton just to go in Coopers and see what a proper pub should be like.