Cask & Pottle, Burton on Trent

I had to wait until 5pm for it to re-open on a Friday after I found the neat but understated place. As stated, it is a small room (in cream and brown) with tall tables covering kegs and a cold room for the beer at the rear. There are WWII poster, a beer related mural and board games to play. A pump clip collection is also evident. The service was interesting, as I think I met a man more naturally miserable than me. It was busy with locals as soon as it opened. No TV or music. Beer saw 4 real ales, all unusual, and I had a very good New Brewery's Alchemy. A really nice place, a must in Tutbury.

Having opened in 2013 this micropub is something of a veteran. It consists of a small rectangular room with high benches around the walls and six tall tables. There were a number of 9 gallon casks stashed under the tables and benches. There is a cold room for the beer and cider at the rear and no bar counter. Four beers were available Froth Blowers Riverside Stout, Dancing Duck 22, Titanic Steerage and Nene Valley Hop Stash Simcoe. I went for the Stout (£3.45) and Nene Valley beer (£3.40) which was unfined but wasn't a pint of murk. Both were in good condition. I also had a pork pie here which was large and tasty. I found this one and the Cross Keys by far the best options in Tutbury but on the day slightly preferred the Cross Keys.