Elbow Room, Hinckley

To call this a micropub would be pushing the definition to the extreme. Housed in a rather ugly building on the edge of a retail development, the interior having a modern industrial feel. Walls are grey and there is exposed ducting. Music was playing in the background, but I could not identify it above the hubbub of conversation. But enough of the negatives. Of 15 pubs, clubs and bars in the Hinckley and Burbage area, this was the best in terms of beer range. The bar is in front of you to the rear right as you enter. There is a cool room immediately behind it housing the beers and ciders. Blackboards on the right-hand wall list the extensive selection. 5 cask ales were on - Shiny Affinity, Arbor Blue Sky Drinking, Vibrant Forest Black Forest, Two By Two Azacca Mosaic & Weekend Project Karaoke. Ciders were Lilley's Apples & Pears, Mango Cider & Celtic Marches AD & Thundering Molly. Craft beers were Tartarus Nyx, Azvex Liminal Spaces, Little Willow Playtime, Great Notion Double Strawberry Raspberry Shake, Track Flowing Within & Glistening Tide, Phantom Polygon, GlassHouse Entwine, Anspach & Hobday London Black & Branch & Blade Holiday Crisp. I chose the Black Forest, which was very enjoyable. After a while standing in the way at the corner of the bar, we eventually managed to grab a couple of stools sharing a table with a couple of local lager drinkers. Many had spilled onto the heated outdoor area on the pavement to the front. Both children and dogs are allowed. So, there were all manner of customers. Had I had more time, I could have quite happily spent more time here sampling the various beers and ciders. As pubs and bars go, this one lacks any form of character, but it more than makes up for it with the beer and cider range.

Excellent micro-pub with quite a traditional feel despite being housed in a rather unpromising modern shopping / entertainment centre unit. Large windows, rustic furniture, a mix of prints and breweriana on display plus good-natured chatter all round. Also has a few tables out on the pavement for the better weather. Real ales are served on gravity from stillage in a cool room behind the counter, with five in a range of styles - including the 'house' (Furnace) Elbow Grease (£3.20) - plus a selection of craft keg beers, ciders and gins.

In a unit of the new town centre retail development ,this is more hip bar than micropub but it is a great addition to the local drinking scene. The small bar is directly infront of the entrance with a useful chalk board to the right.There will be up to 5 cask beers from a stillage in a temperature controlled cabinet,a few keg craft beers,7 real ciders,gins , spirits and a strong bottled beer menu.CAMRA discount available . The rest of the room has window bench seting below the plate glass,high tables and benches opposite ,while the tables are wooden with metal framing.Industrial ducting hangs from the ceiling,fairy lights dangle above while the industrial flooring and little soft furnishing makes for a noisy interior when busy.The muzak was cool and the punters a mixed bunch but leaning towards the young and trendy with plenty of women. Takeaway delivery of pizze and other italian food from a local diner are available and there is occasional open mic nights. The ale choice on my trip was Elbow Grease (jv with brewer Furnace),Mallinson's Chinook,Neptune Equinox,Shiny Adventure and Blue Bee Sorachi Milk Stout (NBSS 3.5).A very decent selection IMHO.The bearded barman was welcoming, keen and helpful which enlivened the atmosphere. A pub traditionalist may frown ,but for my money this is the best real ale venue in town and I would make a bee line for this place,expecting to sample a wide variety of great beer.

This is the more "crafty" of the two Hinckley micropubs. It's set in a modern unit that is part of a cinema complex near the bus station. The interior has that modern unfinished look with aircon ducts, a metal clad ceiling and aluminium lamp shades. The beer is stored in a chilled cabinet with sliding glass doors. There was a low volume music track playing and a fair number in on my Saturday afternoon visit. Five beers were available something called Baton Breakfast Black IPA, Farmageddon Oatmeal IPA, Arbor Sean Of The Red, Wishbone Abyss Stout and Abbeydale Cold Conscience. I went for the Oatmeal IPA (£4.40 inc discount) and Cold Conscience (£3.20 inc discount). Both tasted fine but neither were clear and there was no warning that they were unfined beers. I thought this was a decent micropub despite the hazy beer and is quite a contrast to the other Hinckley one.