The Pontlottyn (JD Wetherspoon), Abertillery

Fairly small Spoons that was pretty full at 10.30am Friday morning. Nothing much to write home about inside, a bit gloomy due to a combo of the narrow tall street and an ill-advised greyish paint job which clearly postdates the vibrant red carpet. Just a single guest ale; the efficient elderly barmaid told me that my choice was 'fresh on this morning, you're my ale first customer!' and it was indeed fairly good (NBSS 3.5). This Spoons reflects the town, somewhat. Abertillery is an arse to get to and from so this one really is for hardened Timbo Tickers only.

The Pontlottyn is a shop conversion in the centre of Abertillery. It consists of a wide room with the bar on the left and a fireplace at the opposite end. The furnishings are fairly typical but there is a fair amount of dark wood used around the place. It seemed to be doing a roaring trade with older folk having meals on my Thursday afternoon visit. The bar has only five hand pumps which had the disappointing choice of the JDW Trio Of Doom, one available soon and Brain's Rev James. I went for the Rev James (£2.29) which was in good nick. Real Ale is thin on the ground in the South Wales Valleys so I won't be too critical of the rubbish beer choice.

Official page od the Pontlottyn - www.jdwetherspoon.co.uk