The Brunswick Inn, Derby

Update – November 2013 Another very impressive visit in mid November 2013. Various traditionally furnished rooms contain brewery memorabilia ( posters etc ) , black and white framed photos of old Derby ( with particular emphasis on the nearby railway station and old trams ) and the surrounding area. Worth looking out for – on the wall opposite the bar – is a fascinating framed narrative account of the pub in days long gone entitled “ Memories of The Brunswick Inn 1910” Additional seating is available in an upstairs room, which I don’t recollect being in use at the time of my previous visit, the review of which is below. The home brewing plant is still at the end of the corridor. A notice on the glass fronted door refers to “award winning ales from Derby’s oldest brewery” of which 4 were on when I visited – The Usual, White Feather, Triple Hop and Father Mike. Also on were 3 beers from Brampton Brewery ( who, according to the website, have now taken over the day to day running of the pub ), 2 from Everards, T T Landlord, plus one beer from Milestone. Quality of beers sampled was first rate. A Comedy Club evening was advertised for 20 November and a Whisky Evening for 28 November, so it’s clear that the pub is trying to position itself wider than just the real ale market For some reason, the pub is not in the 2014 CAMRA Good Beer Guide, although it has been regularly in previous years. Based on my recent visit, this fact is certainly not going to stop me making a beeline here when next in Derby – nor should it you ORIGINAL REVIEW - APRIL 2009 Splendid free house at the end of a red-brick terrace close to the station. The guide books - and a very informative pub website - tells us that this terrace was built in 1842 as part of the community village for workers of the North Midland Railway. The Brunswick Inn lays claim to being the first ever railwaymans pub. It was saved from demolition in the 1980's, reopening in 1988 after a spell of closure. Nowadays it's a fine traditional multi-roomed pub, with wood-panelling and flagstoned floors and restored in keeping with the character of the original building. It's much larger inside than it looks from outside and with its own self-contained brewery. The pub sign outside refers to "A True Ale House and Brewery" which strikes me as a very good summing up of this not to be missed gem. It's owned by Everards, but sells beers brewed on site and a number of guests. The Brunswick White Feather Ale was a nice light session ale and, at only £ 1.70p, noticeably cheap. Being behind schedule, and with a train to catch, I was unable to stay as long as I wished, but I shall return. In conclusion, it's one of the best known real ale pubs in the country and should be on everyone's itinerary for a visit at some stage

Still a fantastic beer drinkers pub, close to the station and the perfect start or finish point for any pub crawl in Derby. Huge array of ever changing beer on the bar and very quiet on a recent Saturday lunch. this was not my first visit to the Brunswick and it certainly will not be my last.

Superb pub for real ale drinkers that is in the 2012 Good Beer Guide and deserves it's place. Multiroomed and has a brewery too. It is one of the Everards Project William pubs that helps smaller breweries, and they have around 5 of their own Brunswick beers on but have to keep an Everards beer on one of the handpulls. They also have guest beers, and both the Oakham Scarlet Macaw and Brunswick Belpaire Weisse were in good condition. Reasonably priced food available.

One of the best real ale pubs in the country in my opinion.Well renovated and decorated. Excellant range of their own brewery and other's beer.