The Old Swan (JD Wetherspoon), Uttoxeter

Surprisingly large inside, the Old Swan is a Wetherspoons that was by far the busiest pub in town during a recent Thursday crawl around the area. Entering from Queen Street, the bar counter runs up the left facing a row of high tables before lots of open plan split-level seating. Bookended by premium and standard keg products a line of eight hand pumps sit in the centre of the bar counter. The usual three suspects were available alongside Daleside’s Spring Frenzy and Lough Gill Brewery’s Andersons which seems to be doing the Spoons rounds, maybe I should have a pint next time I see it. The service was polite.

Official site of The Old Swan (JD Wetherspoon) - www.jdwetherspoon.com

Official site of The Old Swan (JD Wetherspoon) - www.jdwetherspoon.com

Rather inconspicuous 'spoons, right in the middle of town but somewhat hidden away in a side street. Anyway, it's rather larger inside than it initially appears, with a slightly split-level arrangement of various seating and dining areas, plus a mezzanine. Ruddles, Doom Bar, Abbot, Old Peculier and a couple of festive ales - Portobello Ho Ho Ho and Rudgate's Evil Elf (£2.55).

Uttoxeter isn't exactly a destination town for beer and pubs so it's hardly surprising that this JDW is the only place listed in the 2017 GBG. It's a square room with a low ceiling and the bar on the left, above which is a skylight that at least during daylight lets some light in. The furnishings were a bit more varied than some of their outlets. The clientele was more refined than for example their Peckham outlet, in fact you could almost imagine Hyacinth Bucket feeling at home in here. Most people present on my early Tuesday afternoon visit were having meals. The bar has just eight hand pumps which had two available soon, the two GK beers, Backyard Hellbound and three festival beers. I went for the Backyard beer and the festival Shepherd Neame Hot Night At The Village both at £2.45 festival price and both in excellent nick. I thought this was a good Spoons.

A Wethers-by-numbers though a good selection of cask ales were on.