Billy's, Burton On Trent Town, Burton on Trent

This pub has been described well, and in far more detail than I could manage, in the review by Old Boots below. The beer range, also, has changed little since his visit, with Bass and a guest, and just the addition of one more pump labelled "coming soon". The emphasis appears to be on keg products, however, as I was the only one drinking real ale at the time of my visit. The guest, Shardlow Rev Eaton, is described elsewhere as having a "fruity hoppy aroma...delicate strawberry hops, pear, honey, vanilla, and bready malty afters", though none of this was apparent in the very cold drink that I bought. This is one of those town centre pubs that has its own dedicated following, so that it feels like a local even though no one actually lives nearby. For the casual beer tourist, though, there's nothing here for you - move along, now. Date of visit: 22nd November 2014

The name and appearance aren’t promising but the inside is not what you would expect. Finished in mad Brewers Tudor, the pub is split in half lengthways by a wall with openings. One side is long and thin with a pool table dominating, behind are standard pub tables and chairs. The rustic counter is on the other side, designed to look like an opened out barrel complete with rivets, and stained glass above. There are only two pulls with Bass and a local from Tower, but the quality is fine if a little cold. Multi fonts provide the usual local and National kegs. The medieval theme continues in the ceiling of suitably blackened joists although the green painted anaglypta is from a different age as of course is the screen beside the counter. Another local Burton pub with plenty going on, pool league teams, darts and a monthly meat raffle for example. The smoking area is in a yard at the back.