Gainsborough – The Sweyn Forkbeard

This JD Wetherspoon pub is listed in the Good Beer Guide, so that’s another one ticked off my list of trying to visit every one in the country. The pub is named after Sweyn Forkbeard and occupies what was formerly two shops, opening in around 2001.

The inside of the pub, all suitably modern and functional. I appreciate the amount of high seating as well, my personal preference in pubs. The gaming machines are on silent to retain the quiet pub atmosphere that JD Wetherspoon are aiming for. I also like the considerable efforts that they go to with the local history boards around the pub, I didn’t notice anywhere else in the town doing that.

The chicken jalfrezi and large bottle of Elvis Juice which came in at just over £10, all very reasonable. For the price point, the quality was perfectly adequate and everything was at the appropriate temperature.

And the next morning I felt that I should return for breakfast. Being quite picky, I like that the egg is runny and there’s no fat of note on the bacon. I could have gone to the Canute next door to try somewhere different, but they had annoyed me by offering 33% off to groups of two or more, so I didn’t.  It’s consistent, reliable and affordable at just over £5 for the traditional breakfast and coffee.

And the carpet, with every JD Wetherspoons having a unique carpet design. There were also plenty of power points available for customers.

This pub has six real ales and the one that I had, the Lincoln Tank Ale from Pheasantry Brewery, was well-kept and priced at £1.99 a pint. The pub’s craft beer range is excellent, including a few regional cans that were of interest such as the Brownie Hunter from Wilde Child Brewing Company and the Tropical Assassin from Roosters. The prices across the board were low, the venue was clean, the staff were friendly and the ordering process efficient. It was by far the busiest pub in the town and it all felt well-managed and organised. A rightful entrant into the Good Beer Guide in my view.