The Peacock, Derby

The Peacock is a bit of a trek through underpasses and over roads from the main drag, but the journey isn’t as bad as Google Maps would have you believe. The entrance opens into the front bar where there is a serving counter across the rear wall and a dartboard. During my recent midweek visit the two locals in attendance were discussing the demise of the dart team with the barman, this explained the dart player recruitment poster in the door. There is a lower rear bar with some seating and a long tarmacked courtyard up the right faces some outhouses, one of which is the gents. Back in the front bar five of the seven hand pumps were in operation drawing Gwynt y Ddraig’s Black Dragon, Bass, Pedigree, Milestone’s Loxley and Lilley’s Mango Cider. Unfortunately, the Loxley was like vinegar. I waited a couple of minutes for the friendly barman to return from the cellar, but the awful repeating R&B music did me in so I decided to cut my loses and leave. A seemingly popular pub, it’s either changed hands or I caught it on a very bad day.

This former Marstons pub has been acquired by the owners of Hartshorns, a Derby microbrewery, who have been running the nearby Little Chester Ale House and have also done a nice job with the Belper House (in Belper). Their Ignite 3.9%, a blonde ale, was in superb condition when I was here today, and was joined on the bar by three other real ales and a couple of ciders. Apart from removing any Marstons signage from the front, there doesn't seem to be much change to the pub, inside or out. I prefer this to the Tap or the Exeter Arms, though it's got to be said that the latter pair are a lot easier to get to from the station.