The Rutland, Chesterfield

Stopped off here before and after watching Chesterfield FC's last ever game at Saltergate. The big occasion meant that this place was packed, unlike a number of other town centre pubs and a quick look at their beer list confirmed why. The blackboard behind the bar listed Brampton Stout (£2.95) and Wasp Nest, Bateman's GHA Pale, Fuller's London Pride, Bradfield Farmers Blonde (£2.75), Fulstow's Village Life, Wells Bombardier and Thornbridge Kipling and Jaipur. I tried the Brampton Stout and Farmers Blond, both of which were very nice, if served a bit too cold for my liking. The pub has a very large front room with wooden flooring and dark wood panelling, with plenty of tables and chairs as well as ample room for the massed hordes to stand. A smaller room to the rear has bare brick walls and quite a bit more seating and appeared to be the best place for diners to enjoy meals from the somewhat pricey menu. Live music was also being advertised throughout the pub and there were plasma screen TVs showing muted Sky Sports news coverage. A nice enough town centre pub that stands out from the crowd thanks to its good ale selection. I'd probably pop in here again, but ideally when it's a bit easier to get to the bar.

Changed hands late in 2009 I have had some decent meals but a shame the new landlord has put up his prices by around 25%, I suppose this was done to reflect average town centre pub prices. A meal last night was rather dissappointing with our fish and chips served dripping in cooking oil and tasted as if the oil was brought up to the correct temp with the fish and limp chips already in the pan. The beer however is usually very good