My initial thought on seeing the fire limit of 525 as I entered the pub, was that this was going to be a lowest common denominator identikit pub & I would have my meal & leave.   On seeing two real ales from the Nutbrook brewery - Banter Bitter & Bitlyke - I was reassured that it wasn't going to be all international macrofizz.

The food was basic pub grub done well & other than the 2 cask ales it was the usual suspects of macrobeers.   The Nutwood Bitlyke was on the turn & tasted like it had been opened at the weekend (it was a Tuesday evening) but was still a reasonable fruity, sweetish, malty, copper coloured bitter.   The Banter was excellent however: a pale golden beer with a fragrant, floral hoppiness & a subtle sweetness.

In brief: A huge corporate chain pub with no soul, but saved by its unpretentious food & 2 local real ales.