This was a surprise; it didn't live up to the billing. We needed something to eat so shortened our stay at the Furnace. The food was excellent and the beer range of 11 handpulls faultless but the pub had a corporate feel about it and was therefore very different from the Exeter, Brewery Tap and Furnace. I'm being picky but it was strange all three of us felt the same and after a couple of rounds we moved on.well worth the slight detour out of the main drag.well-kept ales and friendly, keen and efficient staff,probably the two essential constituents for a top drawer pub. only sorry we hadnt found it before. A largish one-room bar with an impressive array of handpumps on the counter. The beers have always been in tip-top condition whenever I have called in. The pub is quite geared towards food and the seating areas tend to reflect this but unlike some places I have been, the dining is not particularly intrusive and to be honest the food looks pretty good. The problem for beer drinkers in Derby is that one is spoiled for choice and with this pub being a little way from the city centre you might not get this far out but I would recommend that you make the effort and you can reward yourself with a pint of Peak brewery's Chatsworth Gold!

Just popped in for a quickee here on the way to the railway station from a tour of real ale houses in the town. We've been here many times before and didn't feel any difference in the ambience/service to before. We had their brewed on the premises Railway Porter and White Feather. There are so many handpulls here I forgot the number but I guess aaround 15 of which half were their own brewed beer.Went in on a Sunday for a pie and pint and was told, twice, they don't do food on a Sunday in a manner that indicated it was stupid of us to expect otherwise. Went round the corner to the far superior Alexandra where we seemed to be welcome customers. To the snotty get of a barman in The Brunny, this is my "goodbye" back to you, told you I'd call back, hope my rating lowers the average a tenth.Proper ale drinkers pub, just 100 yds from the station - great choice of about 15 real ales including a number brewed on site. Tried 3 pints all in top nick (2 of their own and Batemans XXXB). Understand this in an Everards pub now but you wouldnt know it.

Remarkably quiet (read on) for a Saturday night with spare tables in the bar right up to closing.

The only downside on this occasion was a very loud rock band playing upstairs. Even the lights were virating in the bar downstairs.

Don't let the last sentance put you off tryng this excellent pub.

Has reopened following a long closure and a refurb. Structurally the same but now clean and bright. Excellent beer though slightly less choice than previously, not that this matters as there's still plenty to go at. Staff know how to treat their customers and always serve with a smile. Highly recommended.Popped in this weekend - reopen and a fine pint served. New landlady charming, bar staff friendly, place neatly done up. Back on the crawl for future visits.due to open again in Dec, new toilets and a refurb so lm told , cant wait as the Team from the Pattenmakers will be in charge so great beer and food so things are on the up

Visitor to derby thought nice looking pub entered with my wife, we were only 2 customers in. Stayed for 2 pints of top notch pedigree landlord very unfriendly, staff arriving one at a time also very unfriendly. Wonder why this lovely pub with its lovely beer is empty ? Will not be coming back, shame really, what a waste. We would have spent a lot of money in there and came back for next dayYet another Deby classic, with a slightly less "Beer-exhibition" style and all the better for it. Excellent Pedi, great pub architecture and a chatty landlord.Nice clean little boozer with good selection of real ales since new licensee took over.
Cosy, warm and inviting. Look out for the summer booze blues and barbeque nights.

Also great pork pies

First visit today and I suspect it won't be the last. As other reviewers have said, it has a great selection of ales and helpfully listed from lightest down to darkest. It does have the feel of a genuine community local and has a friendly atmosphere.

With the Ale House and others just round the corner, you can make quite a nice little crawl around the Little Chester area now.Not on our original list to try whilst in Derby but a CAMRA friend recommended it and we were not disappointed. There were 8 handpulls on and with a great range from golden to dark. The landlord majors on non Derby brews which seems sensible considering his nearest competition does just that. Having said that a brewery should be opening soon at the rear. We were made very welcome and this inn deserves to be on the circuit and we regret not having spent longer there.Went in here last night for the first time. Tried three brews all of which were excellent. Just re-opened so still getting off the ground, the landlord was full of enthusiasm and is determined to make it a successful real ale pub. It sits in good company, surrounded by Derby's best pubs, and judging by the quality of the beer I had, plus the landlord's temperament, I think they can make it. Good luck to them!

A really great pub, overcoming my preconceptions about the quality of micro beers (Brewery Tap was, I thought, very average quality-wise). TheDark Drake, as noted before, is a marvellous beer, and the pub itself is a multi-roomed gem. Also like the all-day snack menu and the Anti-Pasti memorabilia !An excellent pub mainly selling the superb Dancing Duck Ales. We had three and I think there were 5 handpulls. The pub comprises various rooms of which two have a snob screen divider. Only a 15 minute walk from the railway station following the river. Despite the fact my pint of Magpie Brewery Thieving Rogue was not a success - it tasted on the turn but I was assured it wasn't and as it was crystal clear I decided it was probably just not to my taste - I can definitely see me eagerly returning to this immaculately kept traditional styled pub to sample alternative product. One lean against the bar punter advised me to stick to the Pedigree which I dislike, the ale that is not the suggestion, and generally the atmosphere was chatty and convivial. A nice contrast to the Tap which occupies the opposite bit of the wedge. Very pleasant.

Comfortable pub welcoming locals and strangers alike and full to the brim on Sunday when we visited. Four beers were available when we were there, the ubiquitous Bass, Exmoor Gold, Hooky Bitter and Caledonian Mild Mayhem which was served from the jug. The Hooky bitter was sampled and was In good form.Definitely agree with MTaylor. The Bass was fine and the welcome was very friendly indeed. They are making a special effort with a few real ales and discount for CAMRA members. Big screen Skysports as well.

Doing well from the overspill who can't fit into the Little Chester Ale House.In need of some tlc. Shame because it used to be a nice pub. Nothing special on offer at the bar.

Popped in for a swift half. Had their house beer, The Duke, brewed by Derby Brewing Co. Not bad at all.

Proper locals pub with a few beers on offer.the people from the pattenmakers have now lefted and the owner of the pub has now taken over ,called in expecting real ale and friendly staff to be confronted by an overbearing man and dreadful beer , dont bother visiting much prefare the coach just down the rd Under new management from April 2012. Also managers of The Pattenmakers Arms, Duffield. Always got at least 1 guest real ale and Bass as standard. Excellent quality beer, friendly & welcoming. Good to see this pub improving with Sing-along on a Friday, Open Mic Night on Wed and Quiz Night on Mon.