The Old Nags Head, Monmouth

Aged pub with enough features to give it a * CAMRA Inventory listing. Part of it used to be the town gates and you have to heave yourself up a few steps in order to gain access. The front snug, with window recess bench seating, is tidy. Other little rooms and niches (including the tower) are a clockwise journey to the rear over which you can find a pool table and upright piano. 2x Wye Valley brews at the jump - Butty and HPA. Mine was fair if not 100% clear (NBSS 2.5). Worth a nose for a bit of character. 6.5

After a brief visit to Monmouth Castle & Military Museum, we ventured a short way out of the town centre to our final stop. This is Monmouth's oldest pub and has several interesting features, with one of its rooms (the Gate Room) being originally part of a medieval tower. The snug at the front had a fair few locals in. But they did not seem quite as friendly as in the Green Dragon at the other end of town. We sat in another room to the rear, where live rugby union was on the TV. There is also a games room with a pool table and a wide corridor providing further seating and leading to a garden. 61 Deep is the regular beer. Guests were Butty Bach & Doom Bar. In common with other Monmouth pubs we visited, the ale range didn't impress me. Indeed, the pub has not been in the Good Beer Guide since Ian Mapp's review back in December, 2017. A pub with some historical interest, but lacking in beer choice and not the friendliest I've ever set foot in.

Lovely old school pub. Wish I had done more research into the history of the pub before coming, as the tower but is on the opposite side to the main entrance. I did go into the tower room from the inside, as I was exploring the nooks and crannies. Beerwise, a Brains House with Rev James the most likely candidate. Only went for a soft drink but I do trust the Good Beer Guide, which has this as an entry. Visit blogged at http://bit.ly/2C65S3n