The Punch House, Monmouth

I had no intention of visiting this rather food orientated Brain's Hotel but with the Spoon's closed it seemed the easiest option. Apparently there is an internal wall in the ancient JDW building that is in danger of collapsing! I arrived here on a warm Spring Thursday afternoon to find the staff struggling with the extra trade generated by the fine weather. There were quite a few uncleared tables just like a Spoons on a bad day. Inside it's a roughly L shaped single room with wooden floors and an extra room over to the right. It all looks genuinely old. There are just two hand pumps which had the rather unimaginative choice of Rev James & Rev James Gold. I went for the Gold (£3.30) which was in good nick but not that great a beer. Will I visit when I return to Monmouth after the Spoons reopens? I doubt it but it's Ok if you like Rev James.