The Ship Aground, Stafford

The Ship Aground is a micropub in what felt like a conversion of two shop units. In the right hand side is a small bar counter on the rear wall facing a couple of high tables and two standard tables, yes it’s very small. A doorway at the rear of the dividing wall leads to a slightly larger seating area with more standard furniture. The table in the window was supporting a turntable that was playing some vinyl, much to the delight of the three or four other customers. The two hand pumps on the bar were drawing Anarchy Brewing’s Blonde Star and Pentrich Brewing’s Cosmic Ripple. The latter was OK, but maybe too much vanilla for my palate. However, I did get the raspberry aftertaste, even if it was a bit subtle. Alongside the cask are ten craft keg options. Fans of vinyl and beer may love this place, but I wasn’t that taken if I’m honest.

Just a quick visit to this micro-pub near the busy road junctions on the southern edge of Stafford's pleasant town centre. Beers and ciders are listed on a blackboard, or rather a series of black panels hanging on hooks. I think there were four hand pumps: two ciders and two beers, though my photo shows only the latter. I went for Shiny Wrench, a pretty good stout, while the other was also from the East Midlands: Black Iris Endless Summer, which I've had before and didn't much like it. My half of Wrench was one of the best beers of the day (NBSS 4). The keg offerings were two pilsners, two IPA, two sours and two pretty strong chocolate stouts, one with honey and the other with peanuts and banana. I can't imagine doing a session here, though others will no doubt disagree.