The Crown, Nottingham

Splendid old multi-room interior, including the tiny 'Confessional' off the public bar at the front, a snug to the other side of the passageway, a 'smoke room' and what is now the main bar in a newer part of the pub to the rear. Up to 14 real ales available, with regulars such as Sunchaser and Tiger from Everard's, Brown Ales The Hustler and Leatherbritches Scoundrel (£2.60), supplemented by a range of guests in different styles. Part of the 'Project William' partnership scheme. Well worth a detour.

The Crown is a wonderful early 19th century pub that, despite some major changes over the years, retains an excellent multiple room interior. The pub is best approached from Middle Street, where the entrance door leads you into a passageway that forms part of the original building – a series of small rooms known as the Shambles. To the left of the entrance is a snug with banquette seating running around three of the walls. To the right there is a small room called the Whisky Bar which has enough space for three tables and a few local photographs on the walls. From here you can access a tiny 8ft by 5 ft snug known as the Confessional which is believed to be the former off-sales section and now has the one table with a hatch to the bar. Moving to the end of the passage, past the servery with its sliding glass screen, you reach the Games Room, which is the last of the original rooms and still has what used to be an external window on the back wall. This room has various sporting images on the walls, a number of trophies on display plus a dartboard and collection of board games. The pub was extended in 1976, so the remainder of the interior comprises this newer section. From the games room there is a lobby type area which leads outside to the large car park and a pleasant outdoor seating space which has plenty of picnic style benches. There are more trophies in this lobby area and a stuffed fox is mounted over the doorway which leads into what is now the main bar. This is the lightest room in the pub and is partly carpeted, compared to the quarry tile flooring in the older rooms. Various bits of brewerania line the walls as well as a number of CAMRA certificates including the East Midlands Pub of the Year awards mentioned below. The whole pub was very clean and actually smelt very pleasant upon entering. The gents’ toilets, which are decorated with enamel beer adverts and an ancient looking set of scales, were particularly well kept. The beer selection is vast and there are a number of blackboards to help when ordering, visible from most, if not all, of the various access points to the bar. The line up on my visit comprised Leatherbritches Cad, Bounder and Scoundrel, Elland Curiosity (£3.20), Mr. Grundy’s Golden Dawn, Tring Lord Derby, Everards Tiger and Sunchaser, Bradfield Farmers Blonde, Fullers London Pride, Oakham Inferno, Naked Brewer Palindrome Porter and Nottingham Bullion. In addition to all of this there was a list of seven real ciders and perries. This pub ticks just about every box and is an essential port of call if you are in Beeston and well worth making the short trip out from Nottingham for. I thoroughly enjoyed my time here and will do my best to make a return visit sometime soon.

East midlands CAMRA POTY 2010 and 2011!!

The pubsign contained the strap line "a cask ale emporium" which sounds like a hostage to fortune but is fully backed up by a wonderful selection of 14 real ales.Everards have also lovingly restored a five room interior to this old ,listed building with low ceilings and the whole package is top drawer. On entering the front door,to the right through narrow swinging wooden doors is a cosy snug known as The Whisky Bar with a very extensive range of single malts.There is a narrow leather bench seat below the window ,three tables and a few stools in a convivial small space.At the end of the room is a tiny confessional snug with its own bar access and room for no more than three.Fabulous. Walking around the interior there are nooks and crannies,and a slightly larger back lounge with a massive low beam.Apart from the games room,all other rooms have bar access,sometime via a serving hatch. The ale selection is outstanding .There is always a Blue Monkey and Nottingham Brewery ale available,together with Tiger and two from Leatherbritches.Other handpumps dispence rotating guests and there is care taken to include a wide range of styles and strengths.Cider and Perry is well represented.Signs advertise regular weekend festivals featuring a different brewer each week and the fact that Marble is on their list of forthcoming events speaks volumes about the reputation for excellence here.The barman was very knowledgeable about all aspects of real ale,and the whole operation was superb. One of the very best pubs I have ever had the pleasure to drink in,I can't sing it's praises high enough.Just get there and enjoy.

Great real ale pub since it's re-invention after years as a tied house. Visited on the 28th december and was very satisfied with my 4 pints, including Brains, Tiger and 2 micro brews that I can't remember the name of. As always, the pub was packed and if it hadn't been for friends arriving earlier than me, I would have struggled for a seat. This is about the Crown's only bad point, the locals use it and keep it busy. Great pork pie and cobs on the bar, nice clean toilets and no banging music. Loads of outside seating at the rear, including a beautifully built smoking hut, complete with red light heaters and wooden seating. Nice big car park too, that the pub sometimes puts a marquee on when they have a beer festival or other event. Long may the Crown continue in this vien.

Along with the nearby Victoria Hotel, this is one of Beeston's best real ale pubs. I think a bit more could be done to spruce the place up a bit though.