The Moon on the Hill (JD Wetherspoon), Sutton

As well as the usual suspects, the real ales on were Welton’s Heatwave; Arkell’s Moonlight; Naylor’s Original Brewer’s Choice; and Independence Ale, which is apparently brewed specially for Wetherspoons by one Tonya Cotter of the Bend Brewing Company, of Oregon USA. As it was 4 July, and the clip sported an arresting image of Uncle Sam, I just had to go for the Independence Ale. It was pretty much as I expected an ale brewed in the USA to be – light in colour and very well hopped. But I thought it was an excellent addition to JDW’s stable and an innovative idea getting an ale from the USA outside their biennial beer festivals. Not bad at £1.89 a pint (or £1.39 for me with my newly acquired CAMRA vouchers). Anyway, this pub has certainly upped its game since Roger’s visit last October (but there was clearly considerable room for improvement). Gone were the unseemly odours, and the tables were all clean and clutter free. But I was in there at 11.40 AM on a Saturday morning. Even then it took 10 – 15 minutes to get served and it may be that when it gets very busy the staff will be overly stretched. It’s a typical Wetherspoon’s pub (but unusually on two levels), with the usual range of high stools/tables, sofas, normal tables and chairs, and booths. Based on my one visit, it’s not the worst Wetherspoons I have been in – just typical for the brand, which means that it is somewhere where you can get excellent ale at reasonable prices.

A spacious but has a rather formulaic Wetherspoons with all the usual characteristics however for all the defence that I can normally muster up for Wetherspoons, this is one of worst I have experienced. The first thing that hits you is that the bar smells like the world spewing championships had been held there during the afternoon. Trying to find a table not piled up with dirty dishes was nigh on impossible on my visit and with only 1 guest beer (which wasn't up to the usual high Wetherspoons quality) selection was pretty poor. Throw in a generally down market crowd and it all adds up to one of the most unappealing Wetherspoons I have encountered. I thought I may have just called on an off day but having read of the pub's reputation elsewhere, it is clear that the problems are an intrinsic part of the pub and not a good advert for the management. This one really does give Wetherspoons a bad name.

Large Wetherspoon's just off the main High St.Has seperate drinking ares and a few guest beers.