The Coppersmiths Inn, Burton On Trent Town, Burton on Trent

Facebook page of The Coppersmiths Inn - www.facebook.com

Facebook page of The Coppersmiths Inn - www.facebook.com

I walked past the Weighbridge Inn twice and I was specifically looking for it so even though very central I imagine there’s not much passing trade from those not in the know. This is a tiny place with a small bar on the rear wall adjacent to a small table and a fireplace to the left. Further left is a small room with another fireplace, the back of the one in the bar, and some overspill bench seating, where I ended up due to the six other people in attendance packing out the bar area. The four hand pumps were drawing Muirhouse Tick Tick Boom, Woodforde’s Bolt, Dancing Duck Duzzy? and 3Ps Brewery’s Anchor Pan. There are also four craft keg fonts on the right back bar where lots of framed award certificates hang. The Duzzy? was excellent and the two people running the show were friendly enough so I see no reason why I wouldn’t make a return visit.

Set inside an old coal yard office in the car park of a large hotel, this is about as unlikely a place to find some good beer as you’re likely to get, but this quirky little building has been converted into a pleasant two-room micropub which offered a warm welcome when I popped in shortly before closing on a friday evening. It’s a cosy place with a small porch leading into the main bar space. A few bar stools are squeezed into a tight space opposite the bar, with a few tables and chairs in a more open area to the rear. The bar runs along part of the back wall and has a simple counter and rather plain bar back which has been enlivened somewhat by a proud collection of certificates for the pub and their Muirhouse brewery. The room was pretty packed when I arrived, but the super-friendly barmaid directed me to a small side room where fixed benches and low stools offered some much needed overspill. This room is a little plain thanks to its white walls and dark wood dado/back rest, but some colourful cushions on the benches helped to brighten things up a little, whilst photo murals, a framed newspaper article about the pub and some well stocked bookshelves added some visual distraction. The door connecting the two rooms had some nice etched glass work, but I didn’t spot much else of historic interest, instead distracted by the TV screen showing a muted FA Cup fixture with a pop music soundtrack playing over the top. Three Muirhouse beers - Jungle Juice, Tick Tock Boom and Pale - were available alongside a guest of Leatherbritches Stouter. The Jungle Juice was a good drop and I liked the convivial atmosphere which the cheery staff and welcoming locals helped create here. This is a pretty decent micropub that suffers a little from being located in the ‘wrong’ direction from the station and hampers itself with limited opening hours, but if you can find your way here at the right time, you’ll be rewarded with some good beer, friendly service and a welcoming environment.

A warm and cosy feeling little pub handy for the station if you're around in the evening, the beers that were on are listed below, I had Muirhouse Hopgarden and it was very agreeable as was the pub.

Typical micro-pub housed in a low, narrow building just opposite the eponymous (disused) facility. Just a pair of tables in the compact bar, although there is another small room - in darkness when I visited - beyond. Two 'house' Muirhouse beers - Hop Garden (featuring Admiral and Godiva hops, £3.40) and Tick Tock Boom - and a pair from Wantsum in Kent - 1381 and Black Prince - on the four handpumps. Also has AM:PM and Jaipur from Thornbridge, Pravha lager and a cider from four keg taps on the side wall plus three more boxed ciders.