The Spread Eagle, Croydon

Large and imposing Fuller's Ale & Pie House situated next to what appeared to be Croydon's town hall. We didn't venture far from the bar in here. Although unlike previous places we's visited, there were some other customers in here. There's not too much of a surprise on the real ale front, with Fuller's London Pride & ESB & Gale's HSB serving as the regular beers. Guests were the seasonal Fuller's Jack Frost & Dark Star Hophead. I chose the Jack Frost, which had clearly not been pulled through that day. Bar staff did pull some through, despite saying that it was supposed to taste malty. Whilst I agree with that, I don't think it is supposed to taste like vinegar. After being poured through, the next beer I had was in much better condition. There was no sign of a discount for us though. We obviously didn't look like CAMRA members, as we had no beards nor tank tops, despite the 4 of us all being members! This was the first of 3 Fuller's pubs we visited on that day. I don't recall having been to one for a while. But now I remember why I tend to avoid them!

Set in a quite impressive looking building this Fullers Ale & Pie house also boasts some very nice woodwork throughout. There are a total of 12 handpumps with most being doubled up and a couple vacant, beers on were HSB, ESB, London Pride, Jack Frost and Dark Star Hophead, I asked for a pint of Hophead and rather impressivly the girl serving asked if I was a CAMRA member( I had a beard but no tank top) so I ended up paying a reasonable £4.18 for the pint. The pub was a little quiet at noon on a Friday but I found it a comfortable 20 minutes or so.

Not been to this imposing Fuller's Ale & Pie House for years, but all seems much the same within this impressive building. The former bank has been well converted, and the main bar benefits from a high ceiling and windows on three sides. Further seating and dining areas can be found upstairs, with a theatre too. Dark wood-panelling throughout. Pride, Oliver's Island, HSB, ESB and the seasonal Spring Sprinter plus two guests from Gypsy Hill - Mosaic and the dry-hopped Bounder - available from the two banks of six handpumps on this long-overdue revisit.

Official site of The Spread Eagle - www.spreadeaglecroydon.co.uk

Official site of The Spread Eagle - www.spreadeaglecroydon.co.uk

A rather opulent interior with high ornate ceilings and beams with decorative cornices. Large rather flamboyant chandeliers, lots of dark wood panelling. As hondo says below, Fuller's have plenty of experience of bank conversions, so they tend to turn out well. There were lots of framed pictures of this and that all over the walls, large vases of flowers on the bar ends; seating is mixed but with plenty of standard issue. The pub also contains a theatre which I presumed was situated up the central flight of stairs, apparently they show films too. Those wishing to watch football were being directed up there last Sunday while the oval ball game showed in the main bar. This seemed popular, I struggled to find a seat and ended up perched at a ledge. As said, Fuller's, an Ale and Pie House, the afternoon in question had Pride, ESB, previously unknown to me Damson Porter plus guesting Sambrook's Battersea Rye. Obviously meals are served, an ok spot this, more for the surroundings as Fuller's beers are available generally.