Head of Steam, Rugby

Please Note: This review is over a year old.

Thuck Phat left this review about Head of Steam

The Head of Steam became Lilbourne's only pub a couple of years ago, The Bell having closed it's doors some 15 years previous and been converted into a private residence.
The guv'nor and his wife used to live here but converted it to a pub as it was their ambition. This highly laudable enterprise has already been recognised by Rugby CAMRA with the 2016 Summer Pub of the Year award.
Outside it looks like a traditional village pub while inside has been very carefully done with the bar ahead as you walk in, plenty of room for vertical drinking and a small room to the left. The feel is, again, traditional with plenty of exposed beams, wood furniture, and exposed brick. Only the feel of relative newness gives away that it wasn't always like this and it is immaculately clean.
The decorative theme is centred on railways with plenty of interesting signs, art and other artefacts.
There's also plenty of outside space in the garden for sunny days.
Food isn't a regular offer but I did hear that pies and rolls are occasionally available.
The guvnor is very friendly and extends a warm welcome to allcomers. One of his motivations for becoming a publican it seems was his enthusiasm for real ale and regular beer festivals are held, often coinciding with public holidays, for which he sources and collects the beers personally.
Four handpumps see an ever changing range of beers although local brewers tend to feature large. Phipps NBC IPA, Grainstore Daniel Lambert, Jennings Cumberland and St. Austell Proper Job were on when I visited. A range of strengths and one dark beer which I was told tends to be the policy and the first two breweries are reasonably local. The IPA and Proper Job were both in good shape.
This is an excellent village pub which I'd happily visit again perhaps in the hope of a slightly more inspirational ale choice.

On 23^rd January 2017 - rating: 7
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