December 20, 2011
A nice, homely place with nine excellent taps, four barrels of cider and c.15 malt whiskies. The Swan Inn is in the centre of Stone in a tall red brick building that was once a warehouse serving the canal wharves nearby. I liked it a lot. It’s not plush, but it’s homely and the service was very friendly. Most importantly, it has a very good selection of beers with regulars from local breweries and others from microbreweries around the country. There’s also a wide range of ciders and around 15 single malt whiskies. Food is limited to wholesome baps, tasty Staffordshire pork pies and sausage rolls – all at a bargain price, particularly taking into account the 10% discount for CAMRA members. Outside at the back there’s a lovely enclosed courtyard dripping with vines and grapes. They have an annual beer festival in the second week of July, which must surely be worth a visit if you’re in the area at the right time. (Visited 20 October 2011).