The Swan, Kidderminster

This is an old town centre pub with a single L shaped room. Most of the horizontal part of the L seemed to be reserved for dining and the rest for drinkers. Sadly the drinking area had screens showing a rugby game despite the fact that only a handful of people were watching it. At least the volume wasn't ridiculously high The bar has six hand pumps with one having a cider. The beers on my visit were Bewdley Worcestershire Way, Worcestershire Sway & Into Touch, Black Wolf Hospital Pass IPA and a beer from the Birmingham Rock & Roll brew pub. I went for the Worcestershire Sway (£3.30) which was in excellent condition. Apart from the TVs I thought this place was OK. At least there were some interesting beers which would always make it worth a visit.

At the bottom of the main hill into town. A ‘tick’ shaped internal layout with a fairly battered varnished wood interior and an exposed brick area to the far right. Items of note included a mounted bass guitar and some signed sports shirts, seems aimed at the sports and younger crowd. Fairly quiet on my Sunday early evening visit. Six pumps, five ales: Doom Bar, St Austell Trelawny, Purity Goose/Gold and Castle Rock Pale which was in good form, served up by a friendly barmaid. No sign of any ciders though. I must admit I didn't take to it as a venue but the range and quality of the beers meant I was happy enough.

The front of the pub consisted of a very small bar with the lounge area sweeping across the whole of the front. There where a few tables and chairs and lots of stools. The rear was for dining only, which on our lunchtime visit looked like something burnt with chips. Still they had a good few dining and a waiter. There were a few locals drinking the ales, the tankard gave that away. In the front lounge some people taking advantage of the cheap cocktails and lager specials. Five ales handpump, I went for the Sadlers Red House and Cannon Royal Teddy Bear.