The Lion & Key, Hull

The good pubs on our crawl were beginning to come thick and fast, and this one was no exception, 16 handpumps with only a couple offline was a sight for sore eyes and the numerous pump clips covering the ceiling and underside of the staircase were testament to a great ale philosophy here. It has a good real pub feel about it here and is a must visit in Hull.

A very solid alehouse with a high ceiling covered in pump clips and an impressive wooden staircase leading to the loos.The front section is comfy ,while the bar supporting the 16 handpumps has an impressive bar back with signage of Direct Importers,Tinned Fruit and Choice Preserves although I failed to discover the connection with the pub.The walls are covered with old tin and enamel brand advert signs and above the bar room a huge wagon wheel is suspended from the ceiling.There is even a beer garden through some french windows. The ale selection on my visit was Yates Undercliff Experience,Dark Side of the Wight and Holy Joe,Black Country Pig on the Wall and Fireside,Revolution Kissing with Confidence,Sperrin Third Party,Wentworth Speckled Wood,Great Heck Dave,Milestone Honey Porter,Cathead Pale Ale and Dark mill (house beers)and a good Wold Top Spring Fling.Thats a good range with a mix of styles which means this pub would get another visit from me and should be included on any ale tour of the Old Town.The welcome was most friendly ,food is served (mains £8.50-£12 ) and its the sister pub to the nearby Wm Hawkes so expect a similar real ale range there if you plan to hit both pubs.

A splendid pub in alehouse style with the inevitable pump clip decor but quite a choice of well kept beers on the seventeen hand pumps, one is for cider and another for perry. There is a yard at the rear where there was a small brewery, now gone.