The Wilkes Head, Leek

No ambiguity as to the entrance at the time of my visit in February; there was a front door and it was open. Which was handy. Once inside it's a fairly basic affair with four ales on, three by Whim and I think the other was something by Burton Bridge. A further hand pull was unclipped. Whim Flower Power set me back £2.05 for a half; this was a pleasant floral hoppy pale ale. There is a back room with a wood burner going at the time of my visit. Dominoes and other games were on the windowsill in the back room. I was the only customer in but shortly after my arrival the barman switched the music on, which created a bit more atmosphere. I wouldn't mind a return visit.

Facebook page of The Wilkes Head - www.facebook.com

Facebook page of The Wilkes Head - www.facebook.com

My first visit for a number of years. Three Whim beers on the bar, with another being pulled through. I was made very welcome by bar staff and customers, and my half of Whim Flower Power was as good as I remember it (NBSS 4).

To the left of the entrance to the Wilkes Head is a sunken seating area with an exposed brick fireplace with burner and a dartboard that had lots of boxes on the oche. Maybe my Tuesday evening visit had coincided with a delivery. There’s a raised tile floor bar with a U-shaped serving counter that supports five hand pumps, Whim Ales Big3, Flower Power, Hartington Bitter and Hartington IPA were the cask options alongside a limited keg selection of Carling, Madri, Guinness and Thatcher’s Cider. I went for a pint of the IPA which was past its best. Maybe I caught this place on a bad day so I’ll give it another go when next in Leek.