Crafty Isaac Merritt, Paignton

This is a small Wetherspoon’s pub that is named after the founder of the Singer Sewing Machine Company who lived in Paignton towards the end of his life (1875). It has one open plan room with a couple of supporting columns, a bar counter on the right, several booths on the left and a family eating area at the back of the room on the right. There are the usual local history bits and bobs that Wetherspoon’s normally have on the walls which include a few antique looking Singer sewing machines displayed on shelves. There is a small beer patio at the back of the building on the left. Regular ales are Green King Ruddles Best Bitter and Abbot Ale, Courage Directors Bitter and Bays Gold with up to six changing guest beers which on this occasion were Bays Topsail, Elgood’s Greyhound, Teignworthy Harveys Special Brew, Banks & Taylor Dragon Slayer, Dorset Chesil and Jurassic (Cask Marque and GBG 2011). I had halves of Topsail, Harveys, Dragon Slayer and Jurassic which were all in good condition. This is a very good Wetherspoon’s which has a better atmosphere than most spoons, probably because it isn’t very big and therefore feels more like a pub. The selection of ales was interesting and the ones I tried were well kept in my opinion. Paignton is blessed with two better than average Wetherspoon’s pubs (see also the Talk of the Town), I would definitely return for a drink.

great value,busy pub