The Black Lion, Leighton Buzzard

An old traditional pub with oak beams and an Island bar serving the U shaped room. There is a piano and advertised was a weekly Honky Tonk night. No less than eight handles on the bar with five in use, though the pub was gearing up for a beer festival starting a couple of days after my visit. Cask beers on were Bass, Oakham Citra, Milton Sparta, Nethergate Suffolk County and Bristol Beer Factory Independence. Very much the top pub in town.

Looks little different from the other old pubs in the historic centre, but the partly opened-out U-shaped layout is quite a treat. All parts refurbished in a very traditional style so it's difficult to know the age of most features, but the effect is still good. Fine selection of six cask beers from mostly smaller breweries on a total of eight handpumps, but - on a recommendation from a fellow customer - I went for the Bass (£4.70, VG) in the end.

For me, this was the pick of Leighton Buzzard's pubs. It has seating either side of a central bar. The interior is traditional with bare boards and beams. A few old pictures line the walls. It was certainly busy on my Friday afternoon visit. Quiz nights are promoted and I spotted a piano near the entrance, presumably the centre of attention on the pub's honky tonk night. Kids and dogs are allowed in. Draught Bass & Nethergate Suffolk County are the regular cask ales. Guests for my visit were Oakham Root & Branch, North Cotswold Green Man IPA, Milestone Rich Riby, Oakham Citra, Chevallier Cupshot Bitter & Moor Illumination. It was only after ordering the Green Man IPA that I then spotted a board listing a decent cider selection - Heck's Vintage Dry, Gwynt y Ddraig Black Dragon, Weston's Old Rosie & Rosie's Pig, Lilley's Pineapple Cider, Bee Sting Perry & Nuclear Mango & Guava Cider & Thistly Cross Scottish Fruits. Needless to say, I stopped for a second. Wine lists can be found on each table too. So this pub, appears to cater for all. Service was good here and with an excellent ale and cider selection and a nice, relaxed atmosphere, this should be top of your list when visiting the town.

Old, beamed pub, very traditional. Not large but space enough in semi-cicular room around the bar. Good beer choice and good service

Facebook page of The Black Lion - www.facebook.com

Facebook page of The Black Lion - www.facebook.com

Official site of The Black Lion - www.blacklionlb.com

Official site of The Black Lion - www.blacklionlb.com

This pub is a real gem and served a range of top class ales, six in all on our visit. The line up was Stamps Rum Porter, Oakham Bishops Farewell, Bass, Cotswold Best, Heritage Oatmeal Stout and Nethergate Suffolk County. The interior is traditional in style and the open log fire down on the right hand side of the bar was a real treat whilst supping away. The staff were so friendly and helpful and the pub had a decent and relaxed atmosphere. There was also a large Gin bar at the rear of the pub and an extensive range of German beers on our visit.