The Smithfield, Derby

After a period of closure the Smithfield has been refurbished and is reopen. Both rooms have been kept pretty much as they were but have been given a spruce up and there are new settles, tables and chairs. The bar itself has had a refurb as well. The outside terrace over the river has also been cleaned up and will be a great place to sit in summer. 8 handpumps on the bar with 6 beers available although none of them were particularly unusual, especially in Derby. My pint of Abbeydale Moonshine was in good nick though and they give a discount to CAMRA members. It was quite busy on our Saturday afternoon visit. I'm pleased to see it reopen and back on the beer map.

The Smithfield is back on the real ale map again,the pub has had a facelift and it is now been rendered and painted cream. Once inside the pub seems pretty much the same,there is a large curved bar to the front which was bare boarded with bench seating facing the bar with stools,there was a dart board in the small area to the left,there were two Tvs on showing the football scores. The smaller lounge to the rear is still there and this room was quite busy with people sitting around a roaring open fire,i had a drink in the main bar which was also quite busy with drinkers. There were 8 pumps on the bar with 2 unclipped and one turned round,this left five real ales to choose from,i had a drink of Full Mash Neverland which was a very dark porter type beer,this was a really nice well kept beer,the other beers were Oakham Bishops Farewell,Whim Arbourlight,Bass and Smithy bitter which is brewed for the pub by the Derby brewing company. The pub had a nice laid back atmosphere and i enjoyed my time in this pub. Pub first visited 11/9/1982 Recent visit 9/3/2013

Well preserved pub in an industrial area. Good choice of beers and tasty filled rolls.