JUST stepping into The Fleece Inn – a community-owned pub tucked away in the village of Hillesley – goes some way of showing why it was one of our Pub of the Year finalists.

The beautiful interior is so befitting of a traditional English country pub that you’re firmly on its side before even reaching the bar.

A wood burning stove warms the main room which, coupled with the great wooden beams that run along the ceiling, give the impression that this is not just a pub – but a home.

Some have reservations about village pubs of this kind, fearing that outsiders will be treated with suspicion and wariness, but the bartender was warm and welcoming – just like the wood burning stove.

I ordered a pint of Otter while I scanned the menu. It was a pleasantly bright and airy ale and, I would say, my personal favourite since starting out in the pub spying business.

The menu was an enjoyable read, short but well composed, unlike many menus in restaurants and pubs these days that can easily leave you feeling crippled by overwhelming choice.

Classics like fish and chips, a burger and pie and mash all catch the eye and a specials board on the wall adds a few more creative choices into the mix.

Ultimately I settled on The Fleece Pie, a steak and ale pie served with mustard mash, which seemed like the perfect fireside meal.

I began with some Camembert served with bread and continental meats. Though fairly straightforward, it was delicious, and some points were earned here for presentation.

Now it was just the pie to patiently wait for while sipping my Otter, which I was enjoying more and more with each mouthful.

While waiting I was brought into a conversation about ales and ciders with the bartender and another customer sat at the bar.

The customer told a story about some men from Essex he had met who called themselves cider drinkers. He had taken them for some proper cider somewhere (i.e. not Strongbow). One of the Essex guys’ legs began to fail him after a couple of pints.

This kind of friendliness can’t be calculated and worked on in the same way food and drink can.There’s something kind of magic about it, but It adds massively to the overall appeal of the pub.

Before very long, my pie arrived, looking gorgeous and homely without losing professionalism.

It pains me to say this because I wanted to love it, But for me the pie just missed the pie did lack a little something. The mash was delicious. The pie was too, but it just needed something extra, a further kick of flavour.

I did also get to try a little of the lamb shank from the specials board, which was very tasty.

All in all The Fleece was a lovely pub with good food and drink, but what will hang in my memory more than anything is that priceless appeal. That’s why it made the Pub of the Year shortlist and that’s the reason, before too long, why I shall be headed back there myself.

SCORES

Atmosphere: 10/10

Decor: 9/10

Staff: 10/10

Drink: 8/10

Food: 7/10

Prices: 7/10

Overall: 9/10