Engine & Tender, Bedford

This has the air of a small, out of town boozer (which it is), unfortunately commandeered by the Bury St Edmunds crew. A broad palate of GK IPA, Abbot Ale, OSH and OGH (£1.90 a half for the latter) doesn't set the world on fire, but compared to the nearby Ossory Arms, this is cosier. A former two-roomer if a central fireplace stack is anything to go by, this has an entrance-facing bar with a faux quarry stoned bar apron, patterned carpet elsewhere and small 'lean-to' type area to the far right with access to a small garden. No frills, and 90s-style wallpaper seems a little dated, but it was busy and although this doesn't beat the nearby Albion, it serves a decent function.