The Malcolm Uphill (JD Wetherspoon), Caerphilly

Classic 20 year old comfy conversion with what looks like a recent light renovation. You have two long rooms (via a knock-through into an adjacent property) either side of a central servery. Interest in the right room via some nice arched ‘coal shaft’ booths. Service with a smile and chat from the engaging young barman. GBG listed, my Innis & Gunn beer festival ale was very good (NBSS 4) and I think there was a choice of four guests - though Beer Fest time tends to increase the range so I assume three is the standard default as it is in many small town Wethers now. Overall, a well-run Spoons with a nice atmosphere (at lunchtime, anyway).

After a curry on the outskirts of the town, we rounded off our visit to Caerphilly with a visit to the town centre branch of Wetherspoon's which is conveniently located close to the bus and train stations and the main shopping area. As usual, it was busy and we went to the bar to see what they had to offer. We were very quickly approached to ensure we had completed Covid formalities and requested to take a seat, which we duly did. I was after a pint and wanted to use a CAMRA 50p off voucher. Attempting to order via the app was therefore not an option. Instead, there was a piece of paper on the table with green on one side and red on the other to indicate whether or not you required service. Not a bad idea during times of Plague and probably copied from Brazilian restaurants. Unfortunately, despite plenty of staff and much waving of the green side of the slip by my drinking partner, service was on the slow side. Greene King Abbot, Ruddles Best & Sharp's Doom Bar are the regular ales. The guest beer was Summerskills Westward Ho! and the real cider was Thistly Cross Whisky Cask. This place is certainly quite spacious. Toilets are upstairs, therefore allowing more space for drinking and dining. As the previous reviewer states, the 3 booths to one side are quite novel. All around, there are also pictures of the local motor cycling hero after which the pub is named. Not the worst Wetherspoon's I've been in, but the lack of beer choice and the slow service didn't do it many favours.

Official site of The Malcolm Uphill (JD Wetherspoon) - www.jdwetherspoon.com

Official site of The Malcolm Uphill (JD Wetherspoon) - www.jdwetherspoon.com

The Malcolm Uphill is set just opposite Caerphilly Rail Station and appears to be two separate buildings. Inside it's an L shaped room with typical fixtures and fittings. When I arrived one of the managers was telling off a couple of brats for rampaging up and down the bar. She should have saved it for the chavvy parents who were sitting in an area at the back completely unaware of the havoc their offspring were causing. Although there are ten hand pumps the beer choice was poor with two ciders, the JDW Trio Of Doom doubled up, Green Jack Lurcher Stout and Exmoor Gold Export. I went for the Exmoor beer which was in good nick. Caerphilly is rather larger and with the Castle more touristy than other South Wales towns so you would think they could do a bit better on the beer front here.