Stretton Ale House, Church Stretton

A very pleasantly arranged micro pub on the small square, seemingly made out of two narrow shop units with a row of stout posts holding up the middle of the building. There has been judicious use of wood in the setting up of the pub and the presence of four hand pumps on the bar didn't detract. A good selection of local ales (Corvedale, Hobsons, Salopian and Six Bells) of which I went for the Corvedale Bitter and the Six Bells Zen IPA. I was impressed with the Corvedale, though agreed with the owner that it's a beer that could divide opinions – it's very malty, with a biscuity flavour that would not be to everyone's taste. At my request, he found a container for me to take away a pint, as the pub was due to close and I still had two miles of icy roads to negotiate. (Don't worry, I didn't break the bottle.) The Zen IPA was not so much to my taste, but in good condition. The pub is closed on Mondays at this time of year, but I gather that Housmans, around the corner, is in the same ownership, though aimed at a different clientele (the type that goes out on Monday nights?). Service was friendly and the customers were also welcoming - definitely one to come back to.