The Consortium, Louth

Micro-pub with a micro-brewery above, slightly hidden in an alleyway beside the Masons Arms and a side entrance to the New Mark Hall shopping centre. Compact bar with enough room for a counter but the limited seating inside is supplemented by a few wooden benches out front. I had to be told that the decor had an Aston Villa theme, but the eye is inextricably drawn to the impressive display of their own pump clips (especially since the place has only been open for a couple of years). However, this raises the question of whether they are trying to do too many different things, rather than building on a core range? Anyway, four of the five handpumps were on, all featuring their own beers (including the Komon(?), £3.30), together with another on the craft keg fount. Altogether, OK, but with reservations.

Official site of The Consortium - www.theconsortiumlouth.co.uk