Heddin's Ford, Cannock

Friendly micro-pub with a little more furniture of various types than most across the wider than deep seating area. Bar counter opened out from a smaller rear room, featuring a pair of handpumps on each side of a hooped keg fount. Two of these were in active use, dispensing AJ's Hop Pot (£3.60) and The Green Bullet from Fixed Wheel, with fresh beers being put on the others.

This micropub on Hednesford's main street was probably the best of 11 pubs we visited on a midweek train and bus trip to Staffordshire. There is a single room, with a number of tables that were almost all occupied early on a Wednesday evening. With one guy celebrating his birthday, chocolate cake was being offered to everybody inside. The friendly barmaid was happy to run through all of the beer and cider selection with us. The real ale selection included two dark beers, which I was quite impressed with, despite me actually having neither (Wilde Child Brownie Hunter & Beowulf Dragon Smoke Stout). In addition, there was one of the last batch of Kelham Island beers to be produced (Pale Rider) and Plain Ales Sheep Dip. In the fridge, there were 3 boxes of real cider from local producer Hurst View - Stretton Strawb, Penkside Passion & Spiced Rum Cider. Both of the ones I tried were very nice. A couple of Backyard Brewery Bones Project beers were also on tap - Golden Child & Bones Pale. Conveniently located, this is a lively town centre micropub with a friendly clientele and bar staff. Even the toilets were immaculately clean in spite of it being busy. A solid 9/10 from me.

Facebook page of Heddin's Ford - www.facebook.com

Facebook page of Heddin's Ford - www.facebook.com

Now open as Heddin's Ford.

It looks like you have got your wish Soupy! The Bank has just been taken over by the Backyard Brewhouse so it is going to become a micropub.

Austere frontage, small single room interior (in grey) with no pictures. It has a couple of TVs (Magic channel, providing music) and some high black tables and seats. Service was fine but nobody other than staff were in. No real ales and just a basic keg choice. Not sure what it is trying to be or its target clientele, would do better to convert to a micropub!

Small one room conversion of former bank with a rather bare light wood finish contrasted with a couple of black wood tables. Sadly the one handpump is unused with keg Worthington creamflow the only bitter amongst the few lagers (and Guinness). Presumably appeals to someone but not me. Friendly enough though, and clean and modern.