The Holy Inadequate, Stoke-On-Trent

The Holy Inadequate is a small L-shaped pub that I was surprised to find had twelve hand pumps that were drawing their own Inadequate Brewery’s Tickety Boo, Etruscan Mild, Roundhoue Stout and Citra alongside Red Willow’s Wreckless, Marble Brewing’s Lagonda, Mallinson’s US Premium, Weal Ales Cana Jest, Joule’s Pale and three ciders. I went for the Joule’s which was on good form being served by the friendly governor. Craft keg and cans are also available alongside a long list of Belgian brews, this being a proper drinkers pub. There was some low background music playing, but the atmosphere came from the handful of locals. This place was a nice surprise and I’ll certainly return next time I’m staying in Hanley.

This pub stands in splendid isolation a short distance South of the A53 dual carriageway between Hanley and Newcastle Under Lyme. Coming from Hanley it's on the left just before the railway lines North of Stoke Station and the Queensway Roundabout which identifies the bus stops nearby. These stops are served by various 4 services between Hanley and Newcastle. It's been well described below but is basically a wide L shaped bar with a fireplace at the far end and a small snug tucked away at the rear right. I knew it was going to be good as I immediately noticed both that there were no TVs and that Pink Floyd's Welcome To The Machine was playing in the background. The ten hand pumps had the regular 3 ciders and Joules Pale plus Inadequate Cascade Mosaic, Acorn Malthouse, North Brewing El Dorado Pale, Phoenix Porter, Salopian Lemon Dream and one I failed to note. I had a couple of the pub brew and a Phoenix Porter all at £3.30 and all first class. This would appear to be Stoke's hidden gem and if their other Inadequate beers are as good as the Cascade Mosaic it's not just a great pub but a class brewery as well. It's highly recommended and gets a strong 9.

Excellent pub in a very unpromising location on the outskirts of Etruria, with the corner entrance leading into an opened-out 'L'-shaped main bar with a curved counter in front of you. There is also another smaller bar at the back, but that was unoccupied when we visited. Simply furnished throughout, with decor including some interesting breweriana, pictures of steam engines and (justifiably, if this brief visit is anything to go by) local Camra awards. Features an impressive array of handpumps, with the regular Joule's Pale Ale and three in-house beers - Citra Pale Ale, Roundhouse Genuine Stout and Hairy Sue's Dark Ruby Mild - supplemented by BBF Nova, Thornbridge Kipling and three ciders. Well worth the bus ride to visit.