Earl Grey Inn, Leek

Reopened again fairly recently, but seemingly a shadow of its former self as described in previous reports. The traditional, multi-room interior appears to remain unchanged, but the place was almost empty on a Thursday evening. However, the real ale choice is much reduced, with just three handpumps offering a rather dull selection of Pedigree, Wainwright and Bass (£3.70, but only in middling form).

Just outside the town centre and, as has been noted, well worth the short stroll. Our early evening midweek visit found the place relatively quiet but it soon filled up with visitors and regulars creating a busy and friendly atmosphere with curry advice willingly given from the cognoscenti. Beers on were: Brew York Narcissus, Vocation Life and Death, Mart's Neapolitan Stout, Whim Earl Grey Bitter and Redwillow Wreckless. An excellent selection with the odd left field pick and there is clearly some care taken here to keep things interesting. I'd happily have tried all the beers on but having kicked off with the Life and Death just couldn't switch horses. Leek is a top real ale town and the Earl Grey is it's star.

A very attractive street corner boozer,with a traditional external appearance and a pleasing interior.You enter into an oblong seating area with bench seating and a fireplace while up a step is the servery with bar stools for regulars and another bench seat,while there is a side room which is also traditionally finished.No juke boxes,screens or muzak,it's a step back in time.There was a very friendly welcome from the landlady and the conversation quickly got into all things beer and the local drinking scene. The bar offers 5 real ales and a real cider.The choice will rotate although there is a Whim house bitter,on my trip there was a good mix of styles from some leading micro brewers and they aren't scared to offer some high ABV choices.My Vocation Life and Death was outstanding and belied it's 6.5%. I was deeply impressed and would suggest that this is now Leeks' leading real ale pub,not to be missed and fully deserving all the CAMRA awards it has amassed.