Palace Vaults, Caernarfon

Marston's pub with a split-level interior refurbished in a light, if rather anonymous, semi-modern style (apart from an interesting selection of local history photographs). Also has some patio tables out front. Pedigree and the 'house' Cwrw Pen Deitch (£1.60, half) available from two of the three handpumps.

This is a long standing Marston's pub. Inside it's a single wide room with an island bar and a lower area at the front. To the right of the bar is a room with a dart board, a pinball table and unusually a bar football table. The left of the bar has three hand pumps which had Pedigree turned, Ringwood Boondoggle and something called Cwrw Pen Deitsh. I asked the young barman about the Cwrw Pen Deitsh and he said it was a local beer. I looked closer at the pump and it said Marston's on it so pointed that out and the barman insisted it was a local brew so I asked him how Burton in Staffordshire could possibly be local. At this point an older man sitting at the bar who I assume was the manager or tenant told me it was brewed for them. Well that explained everything, the thought that it could possibly be badged Burton Bitter or even worse Mansfield Original Bitter (brewed at Burton) was clearly wrong. I came across this ridiculous subterfuge at another Marston's pub in Aberdyfi a year earlier. Obviously I went for the Boondoggle (£2.99) which was in good nick. Apart from the stupid con trick with the beer I quite liked this pub. Why don't they just do Burton Bitter or better still get a genuine local ale in.