Spittal Brook, Stafford

This is a comfortable, large two bar pub on one of the main roads leading out of town. You enter into a corridor with a door to the left for the front public bar and access at the far end to the rear lounge. The public bar is a bare boarded space with walls painted in a two tone colour scheme with some old timbers visible as well as across the ceiling. Comfy banquettes line the front wall, with some low stools through the centre and a few high tables and stools to the right. The bar is along the rear wall and has a tongue and groove counter front and modern white tile bar back, whilst the canopy has been covered with corporate style blackboards detailing upcoming live sporting events. A dartboard has been sited in the rear left corner and there's a nice brick fireplace to the front left has a handy beer board above. The corridor has an attractive etched glass pane that looks through to bar area, whilst the rear bar has plenty comfortable furniture options but still had a bit of a dining room feel. Additional seating can be found on the pavement out the front, but as this is right next to the mainline railway, I'm not sure how pleasant or peaceful a spot it would be. There were no less than six cask ales available on my midday arrival - Taylors Landlord and Boltmaker, Salopian Shropshire Gold, Bradfield Farmers Belgian Blue, Wye Valley Butty Bach (£4.30 a pint) and St Austell Tribute. The Butty Bach was on good form and I thought the barmaid was quite friendly and welcoming, although I was the only customer at this early, mid week hour. I thought this was a nice local's pub with a great two bar layout, some well-kept beer with a decent selection to chose from and friendly service. The ale range might not be considered the most adventurous and therefore sets the pub apart from some of the town's destination alehouses, but there's enough going on here to merit the walk out from the town centre. Date of visit - 19th January 2024

Official site of Spittal Brook - thespittalbrookstafford.co.uk

Official site of Spittal Brook - thespittalbrookstafford.co.uk

Proper community pub, now well below the A34 road level since the former level crossing was replaced by a bridge. Main bar at the front and the restaurant further back; both modernised, but still retaining a traditional feel. Boltmaker, Tribute and a decent pint of Butty Bach available from three of the four handpumps. NB - Review dates from May 2022.