The Cock Inn, Leek

The Cock Inn is a Joule’s pub that had four locals in during a recent Tuesday evening visit, which is quite a crowd for a pub of this brewery midweek. To the right of the entrance is a tile floored area with little brown banquettes. A mix of seating runs up the wooden floored left, including an uncomfortable barrel with high stools that I decided to sit at rather than choosing a table on my own out of the bar area. At the rear, around to the right behind the bar, is a strip of raised seating and more steps lead up into more seating at the very rear. The pub is quite traditional with lead lined front windows, etched Joule’s mirrors, framed pictures and other brewery ephemera. The music was very random jumping from rock to Britney so I expect there’s a Jukebox somewhere. The service was polite, but the draught selection was limited with four of the five hand pumps drawing Joule’s beers alongside Carling, Staropramen, Guinness and a cider on keg. I suppose fans of Joules would be more than happy, as demonstrated by the chatty locals. I’m not so I don’t plan on returning.

Attractive Joule's pub with a very traditional-looking L-shaped bar filled with plenty of the usual 'not as old as it looks' breweriana. There are also several additional side rooms, with comfortable furniture and light wood-panelling throughout. With all five handpumps in use, I found the small-batch Chocolate Corker stout (£4.20) and Beer Club #1002 in addition to the expected Pale Ale, Pure Blonde and Slumbering Monk.

A bit disappointing to find no guest ales but there was no problem with the Joules Kolkata beer we chose. There are a variety of rooms on different levels,