The Up Steps Inn (JD Wetherspoon), Oldham

Visited yesterday. Two banks of six hand pulls at the bar. At the time of my visits banks were exact duplicates; I am sure on previous visits there were a few duplicated and a few more that were different on each bank. Serving yesterday - Hobgoblin (£2.29), Vulcan Blue Steel Golden Ale by Pleasantry (£2.29), Jaipur by Thornbridge (£3.05), Blonde Witch by Moorhouses (£2.49), Abbot Ale (£1.95) and Ruddles (£1.85). No sign of any Doom Bar! Aqualung has summed the place up perfectly - it is an "old school" Spoons in terms of signage, furniture and décor. It was busy on Thursday at around 2pm, a mix of customers in, quite noisy. Unusually for a Spoons, service was quick, with two people serving. I used to prefer the vibe in the Squire Knott but the Up Steps Inn always had the better real ale selection. The Squire Knott was sold off towards the back end of last year and is no longer a Spoons, however. Pleasant pint in good nick, can't complain.

This is a smaller old school Spoons that consists of a narrow room which tapers at the end and a small bar counter at the front to the left. I completely failed to spot the upstairs area. There were 12 hand pumps which had the JDW Trio Of Doom with Doom Bore & Ruddles doubled, Moorhouse Blond Witch, three ciders, Thornbridge Jaipur, Acorn Ultra IPA and Ossett Big Red. I went for the Ultra IPA (£2.49) which was in good nick. This was the better of the two Oldham Spoons and is GBG 2017 listed.

A Wethers-by-the-book. Totally average.