The Roebuck, Leek

Undoubtedly the same friendly barmaid mentioned in the previous review must have been on shift when I visited the Roebuck earlier this week. It was fairly quiet at around 1:30pm, with some diners just leaving. The service from the aforementioned barmaid was friendly and welcoming. An impressive 10 hand pulls with 8 of those on, four by Titanic, Everards Tiger, Thornbridge Brother Rabbit, Revolution Ninkasi, leaving one pump clipped with Caramelised Apple Craft Cider. Various keg including Plum Porter Nitro edition. Also True Stout, Anytimne IPA, Two:20 lager and a couple of guests. There is a wood burner effect fire going but looks like it is actually gas powered, as I noticed a dial! Looks like it may have always been a pub, it looks nice and traditional, including the old dark wood bar counter. May well have been multiple rooms originally but now opened up, effectively wrapping round the bar like a horseshoe. There are a couple of booths in front of the window, then a mix of high and low tables. A room to the left has low seats and seems more geared up for dining. It felt a bit chilly where I was sat between the window and the fake fire, but perhaps to be expected on a snowy January day! I'd be very happy to return here.

Official site of The Roebuck - www.titanicbrewery.co.uk

Official site of The Roebuck - www.titanicbrewery.co.uk

My first choice in Leek would be the Wilkes Head, but it wasn't open yet when I was passing through. Next would be a toss of the coin between this and the Cock Inn, the Joules pub across the road. The latter seemed to be having a little bit of work done, judging by the paint scrapings on the floor of the entrance, so Titanic it was. I plumped for the first one of their hand pumps I saw, the Steerage, but a couple of tugs at the handle told my server that it had run out, so I went for the Everards Tiger. Actually, I usually go for this in any Project William pub, as it's a good, reliable bitter, and when in good condition can be tremendous. This was almost there (NBSS 3.5, £4.60/pint) and it certainly went down a treat.

In Tudor architectural style and dating from the 17th century, the Roebuck Hotel is certainly a main feature on Derby Street. It actually looks to be part of the adjacent Trinity Church that has a steeple that towers above, and is viewable from, the cobbled ‘Hop Yard’ beer garden at the rear accessed through an arch at the side of the pub. Inside the pub to the left of the entrance is a carpeted seating area that feels like it’s used mainly for dining. Steps at the rear lead down to a flag stone seating area with a short counter. There was nobody down here during a recent Tuesday evening visit so I expect this is used as a function area and as overspill from the main bar at busy times. The main bar is found to the right of the entrance where a curved serving counter faces a couple of booths across the front windows and high tables up the right by a tiled fireplace with burner on the right-hand wall. This is a Titanic Brewery pub, I counted ten hand pumps that were drawing Titanic beers plus Green Duck Brewing’s Blonde, Everard’s Tiger and a couple of ciders, Old Rosie and Ruby Tuesday Herefordshire. There are also nine keg taps across the back bar that were drawing Titanic and premium lagers. Plum Porter is my favourite 2024 tipple, so I had a very nice pint of it before moving on.