The Stratford Alehouse, Stratford Central, Stratford-Upon-Avon

I walked past the Stratford Alehouse when I was actually looking for it. I think I need to buy myself some bins because the pavement outside is strewn with old kegs used for seating, which should really have given the game away! The small rectangular open plan interior has a mix of high tables and barrels with high stools. A small stage is in the front window, it must get very cosy in here when there’s something on. There is no counter so it is table service, but the guy on duty was on the ball and I was served quick time even though it was half full during a recent midweek evening visit. Available were Rudgate Chocolate Stout and Valkyrie, Shakespeare Brewing’s Falstaff’s Folly and Hopback’s Crop Circle. Sitting in here with a pint of Chocolate Stout listening to Fleetwood Mac in the background was the highlight of my day and I would gladly return.

A superb archetypal micro, minimum fuss and a great welcome from the landlord. We found a convivial atmosphere, enough room to sit down and a good amount of interaction with locals. Ales on were North Cotswold’s Green Man, Woodforde’s Nelson, Thornbridge Jaipur and the one Bonnie Tyler holds out for, Nero, from Milton Brewery. There were also several ciders from Lillies. Definitely the highlight of any trip to Stratford.

Nice little micropub. 4 beers on and the Byatt's Big Cat was an excellent pint. Friendly barman and good service. They do not do a Camra discount any more but the prices are good for the area anyway at £3.50 a pint. Well worth a visit.

Enjoyed my visit to this microopub which was pretty full, but full of friendly banter. Half a dozen high tables and a stage which was being set up for live music. Over a dozen casks appeared to be on the tiered stillage behind the counter, and 4 ales were available. 2 from North Cotswold, and 2 from Lincoln Green. Enjoyed the well served Lincoln Green St Clements.

Micro-pub handily placed between the railway station and town centre. Has a bit more space than many, with six small tables (albeit mostly of the annoying high variety, although there is one on a small stage using casks with padded tops as stools), and a fine display of pump clips as the main decorative feature. There is a small counter at the end, but all beers are dispensed by gravity from a three-level stillage behind. Beers available on my visit included Silhill Gold Star, Tollgate Hackney Blonde (£3.20), Brunswick Pick'n'Mix and Titanic Plum Porter. Well worth a visit.