The Admiral Rodney, Sheffield

Now part of the Vintage Inns chain - I'd never been here before but seem to remember there used to be Greene King signage. The approach to the pub is dominated by the car park, but once there, just turn around for a great view across the Loxley Valley. Although this is a lovely old building I could detect no trace of the original layout, but the large interior was split up quite nicely into smaller areas, with quality furniture everywhere. It's the sort of place to bring your grandmother for Sunday lunch, with lots of indoor pot plants - I suspect there's a symbiotic relationship with the nearby garden centre. On the bar are five hand pumps, with one beer reportedly settling, Sharps Doom Bar (times two) and Atlantic and Abbeydale Moonshine. With sinking heart I went for the Doom Bar: it was superb. I've never had Doom Bar as good as this; it was so good, it tasted like beer rather than dishwater. On my way out I paused at the bar to give my compliments to the cellarman, something I have never done in a pub before. Date of visit: 10th December 2017