The Spread Eagle, Ipswich

This is a fairly modernised, back street pub showcasing beer from the local Grain Brewery. You enter into the main bar which boasts some tidy parquet flooring, walls painted in predominantly darker shades and a servery over to the left. The bar has an unusual counter front – a kind of bamboo effect panel - plus a modern bar back with two central, Grain branded windows flanked by backlit shelving units. A mix of low and high stool seating fills the ample space opposite, alongside some basic tables and chairs and at least one pew over to the side, under a wall with peeling paint, which may or may not be a deliberate design feature. Drinking ledges with high stools can be found on both sides of the room too and there are some shelves stacked with board games next to the entrance, an extensive pump and keg clip collection on the rear wall, a few arty photos here and there plus some old black and white photos from back in the day, fairy lights across the ceiling and a bunch of promotional posters. A second room to the rear offers more seating, mostly benches, but was it was completely empty on this visit. There were five Grain beers available on handpull when I arrived - Oak, Blackwood, Best Bitter, Threeonesix and Red Nelson - with a sixth pump unused. The barmaid was very nice and as well as pouring an excellent pint of the Threeonesix, also explained what Hot Buttery Rum was, as advertised on a poster behind the bar! It’s a shame that this pub was so quiet compared to those I’d been to in the town centre, as it was definitely the best beer quality I encountered all day. The pub has a somewhat stripped back appearance which doesn’t make it feels like the cosiest spot, but with some interesting, well-kept Grain beers to choose from, I could easily see me making repeat visits here. Date of visit - 8th December 2024

Grade II listed corner pub, with semi-modern paintwork below the half-timbered upper story on both facades, but a semi-traditional alehouse look inside. Five Grain beers being served from the six handpumps, including my pint of Blackwood stout (£4.90), plus four more and a couple of guests from the hooped fount on the bar-back.

Official site of The Spread Eagle - www.thespreadeagleipswich.com

Official site of The Spread Eagle - www.thespreadeagleipswich.com