Black Swan in Hand, Nuneaton

On the way back to the station, I thought I would check out this former GBG entry. There is a certificate above the bar for "Camra Best Newcomer" but I didn't clock the year. Beer choice was limited - with Wainwright looking the best best. I was staggered it was only £2.24 a pint. I was then staggered by how poor it was. Stinky and undrinkable. Being so cheap, it felt churlish to complain - so I left it half complete for the train to whisk me a way.

A modern sports bar but with a name that harks back to previous pubs in this area,I went here on the back of the 2020 GBG Entry.It has a large interior with lots of room for vertical drinking along with large banquettes in the front windows and in a substantial side section.There is a large beer terrace out at the rear. Lots of flatscreens show sport,the muzak was loud and had a deep base but can no doubt be turned to 11 at peak times .The 4 handpumps on the rear bar were offering Doom Bar,Mansfield Cask and Jennings Head Point (decent nick) and all ale £2 with care taken about conditioning and topping up.On a beer scoring basis I can see why this was chosen for the GBG ,but it wasn't an exceptional ale choice nor a comfortable pub to drink in.Friendly service however.