The Star Inn, Nottingham

I had noticed in advance that this place was owned by Heineken UK (via Shipstone's, Greenall's and Scottish Courage) so my expectations were low. As you enter I noticed a snug styled room on the left then the small room where the bar is on the right. Further on to the left is a large dining area with doors leading to the large garden. This has a covered area with an assortment of tables and chairs, an enclosed kiddies area to the right with swings and an extensive lawn with picnic tables and chairs. I saw no marquee. The bar area started filling as I arrived and there seemed to be lots of people eating so I took my beer to the covered area in the garden. The bar area is small and basic with a wooden floor and tall tables and chairs. The bank of ten hand pumps had one unused and only three I associate with Heineken UK namely Theakston's Best and Caledonian Edingburgh Castle & Golden XPA. The rest were Totally Brewed Four Hop Men Of The Apocalypse, Nottingham Rock Mild & Star Inn house beer, Falstaff Fistful Of Hops, Dancing Duck Donald *uck and Blue Monkey Guerilla. I went for the Donald *uck (£3.00) and forgot about the CAMRA discount. This was slightly hazy but tasted fine. This place seems to cater for all and greatly exceeded my expectations.

A very fine pub with an extensive ale range and spread over a number of distinct rooms. The reviews below describing The Star since it's refurbishment give plenty of accurate detail. I won't repeat that but will add that the welcome from behind the bar was friendly and the locals were happy to chime in with their suggestions on ale choice. Beers on were: Muirhouse Star Inn Bitter, Hopcraft Who's Been Sleeping in my Brain - great name and an excellent beer, Theakston's Lightfoot, Caledonian Flying Scotsman, Oldershaw Grantham Stout, Caledonian Golden XPA, Cheshire Brewhouse Engine Vein, Nottingham Standin Jockey, Calder Red Bandit and Serne Blackstone Stout. A fair selection over across strengths and styles and all the beers are listed on an informative board by the bar giving strengths and colours. As has been noted, along with The Crown and The Victoria, The Star makes Beeston a very good town to visit for decent beer and I look forward to a return visit.

Another destination pub in Beeston with a fine selection of real ale.The exterior is quite large,and the interior layout has not been altered although both the decor and furniture are modern .The three sided bar serves a public bar section to the front with traditional Shipstones etched glass ,a wood burner with a large french clock above.High tables and chairs ,but a traditional ambiance with good humoured banter from the regulars.Lots of original features around the bar have been retained.The corridor is also a popular place to sup,while the back room has a more formal feel,with ranks of tables.To the front off the corridor is a front lounge with library book wall paper while to the rear is a permanent tented section leading to a hermetically sealed games room with a pool table and two flats screes for Sky Sports and terrestrial TV,both screening Champions League matches on my Wednesday evening visit.This arrangement worked well,a noisy lads area did not impact the rest of the pub. The star turn is the real ale selection,across a variety of styles and strengths from many and varied micro brewers,plus a house beer.My Hop Craft Who's Been Sleeping in My Brain was in top nick. Although the interior doesn't have the charm of the nearby Crown,this is still a must visit pub when in Beeston and together with The Victoria by the station ,these tree comprises a holy trinity of pubs in this fine town.Make sure you get here,when the tram line is finished that can only help ease of access.