The Kings Head, Leicester

One of two Black Country Ales pubs in Leicester, the Kings Head is the one I have visited most, as it's fairly close to the railway station. It is located on King Street, but you can also enter from a passageway to the rear off the pedestrianised New Walk, which is a much more pleasant tree-lined approach to the pub. A rooftop patio can also be accessed from steps at the rear of the building. The interior is a split-level single room that is carpeted and similar to most other BCA pubs, it is fairly plain. The long bar has a good selection of real ales, which are also listed on an electronic screen at one end of the bar. However, as we found out, the screen is not always up-to-date, especially when new beers have just come on. 4 Black Country Ales are regularly on - BFG, Fireside, Chain Ale & Pig on the Wall. Guest beers on our visit were Sharp's Atlantic, Milestone Honey Porter, AJ's Duke's Delight & Bewdley Sunshine & Worcestershire Sway. The real cider was Gwynt y Ddraig Black Dragon. Pub snacks are also available in a heated cabinet at the end of the bar. It contained samosas that were very good value. I think there were also various pies on offer. Still one of Leicester's best and most consistent pubs.

The Kings Head is a thin L-shaped pub with a banquette seating in the front windows either side of the entrance and a bar counter that runs up the right facing seating either side of a fireplace on the left wall. Steps towards the rear lead up to a raised seating area and the rear entrance. Football was on the television, half of the student age customers were watching this and the other half were practising quiz questions. On the bar the keg range is limited to just Carling, Staropramen, Madri and Guinness. Not a problem though as I think most come for the ale selection. Available during a recent midweek evening visit were Lenton Lane Brewery’s Cloudburst, Sharp’s Atlantic, Fixed Wheel Brewery’s Through and Off, Gwynt y Ddraig’s Black Dragon, Four offerings from Black Country Ales and a very nice Beowolf FHP Porter. The presence of hot and cold food containers on the bar mean that this will be my preferred lunchtime stop next time I’m in Leicester.