The Devil's Taphouse, Stafford

Excellent micro-pub, and one of the closest watering holes to the station. Usual sort of arrangement inside this converted shop, with a narrow rectangular bar leading towards a compact counter in the back-left corner. Five well-chosen real ales the handpumps: Mallinson's Nelson Sauvignon (£3.20), The Hoard from Backyard, Flat Out from Anarchy, Redemption Big Chief IPA and ELB Quadrant.

A tidy little micropub, albeit hard to notice. Grey, wood and brick exterior with a narrow interior of brick, plain wall and wood. Pump clips adorn one wall, a few ornaments another, while a canoe sits above the door to the bogs and a couple of old oars (read that carefully) hang about. Service is always fine, clientele mature. No TV or music. 5 handpulls and I have never had a bad drink here: Blue Monkey 99 Red Baboons and Neepsend Lubin Stout the other day. Always visit when in Stafford.

Good pub with a decent ale choice and well worth the visit. Only trouble was the front windows had been boarded up so it did not look open.