The Dragon Inn, Worcester

The real attraction of The Dragon is its top quality ale. The pub itself is gently lived in and comfortable with the upholstery ringing a distinctly 80's bell in the memory. Both staff and regulars are friendly and very knowledgable on the wide selection of ales. I'd be happy to slide in unaccompanied with the expectation of a chat, even if only with the one or dogs enjoying the convivial atmosphere. The pub is owned by the Little Ale Cart brewery from Sheffield so there's a fair representation of their own ales but, as Mr Fastard notes, the guests are also top quality. Available on our visit were Little Ale Cart Cambridgeshire, Coal Train Chocolate Stout and Riot in Paradise as well as Mighty Oak Maldon Gold and Captain Bob, Blue Monkey Ape Ale and Pictish Southern Cross. We tried everything except the Mighty Oak beers and all were excellent in terms of both flavour and condition and flew down. Worcester has one or two decent boozers but this would be the first place I'd head to in the city and without any expectation of visiting the others in the same evening.

My non reviewing casketeer mates stated that they would never award a 10 for anything (not even Joanne Whalley in The Singing Detective),but after a night in here they could see my rationale for such extravagance.The pub itself is pleasingly basic and a little unkempt,with a seating area and fireplace on entering,a bar down the middle of the left wall with some seating surround while out the back is a covered terrace with benches and the loos. The pub walls are covered with photos of the mascot in various far flung locations and pics of the bar staff and regulars in different states of inebriation. The highlight is the contents of the blackbord listing the ales available.Little Ale Cart beers always feature at unbelieviably low prices,while there is no fear to pitch these fine ales against other microbrewery stars such as Blue Monkey and Millstone.The quality was top drawer and the selection varied across a number of styles.Service is knowledgeable,swift and accurate and the pub's atmosphere is bibulous. If you want a curry afterwards ,you can take pints from the Dragon to (the unlicensed) Abduls which is down the road past two other Indian establishments but which served up superb,good value grub.Abdul returns the glasses to The Dragon the following morning. To describe this pub as a must visit is an understatement,you would be mad not to spend a very long session in here if fine ale is your aim.

Great single room ale house on the edge of the city centre , the list of banned conversation topics suggest some trainspotters had been recent visitors ! A good range of 6 real ales and a cider , i had one from Little Ale Cart and one from Milestone both exellent and drunk outside on the thankfully covered patio (it started to chuck it down as we entered) complete with bus stop. It was friendlly enough and the barman was quiet a character , a must visit if in Worcester