The Swan

The Swan, Brewood, Staffordshire ST19 9BS

Brewood is a large village in South-West Staffordshire that in the past has claimed the status of a town. It still boasts a central market place with the three-storey Lion Inn and the striking house with Gothick windows visible on the right-hand side of the picture. The Swan is an old former coaching inn on the west side of the market place, with an arch leading through into the car park.

Inside it is more down-to-earth than you would expect, with a central U-shaped bar, around which the drinkers cluster, and a couple of comfortable snugs on either side. Outside is an impressively large and comfortable smoking shelter. The dark wood, cream walls and red upholstery colour scheme suggest a former Bass pub. According to the Good Beer Guide no food is served beyond cobs on weekday lunchtimes. The regular beer range is Theakston Black Bull, Deuchars IPA, Wye Valley HPA and Courage Directors, plus two guests, on my visit including Taylors Landlord. It’s hard to fault the pub, but it would be good to see Draught Bass and other Staffordshire beers on the bar.