Beer Branches: Anniesland

My job drags me around the country. Now it would be easy to sit in the hotel and mope about all that I'm missing at home, which is why I often do. Sometimes though, I realise that I've actually got a pretty good opportunity to go somewhere different and do just that. Which is why we start in Anniesland.

Anniesland is a curious suburb of Glasgow. One side of the Great Western (no, not that one) Road is lined with opulent Victorian mansions, all gates and driveways. The other side is a very normal 1960s housing estate, an interesting contrast.

At it's northern end, the Great Western Road is crossed by one of the North British Railway's former lines. Opened in 1874 as Great Western Road, Anniesland has enjoyed a steady increase in passenger numbers over the last few years and is very well served by ScotRail services, making a jaunt into Glasgow a doddle.

Not an attractive station in the traditional sense, but tidy and functional nonetheless.

As you leave the station via the pretty much invisible street level exit, you'll be greeted by the sight of the Esquire House.

According to Mr Wetherspoon, the pub was built in 1962 (I know, stop!) and joined his empire in 2001. By all accounts, the previous gaff was an interesting establishment, with all the excitement of a downstairs bar.

This is one of few Wetherspoon pubs that I've seen with Sky Sports, which makes a nice change from the usual 24 hour bloody news channels that you find on (WHY?!). It also is listed in the 2013 CAMRA Good Beer Guide and has Cask Marque accreditation.

Once through the door, you'll find something slightly alien to many other Spoon's. Daylight. The massive windows shown in the picture light the place up a treat. Whilst this might take away some of the 'pubbiness' of the place, it's certainly nice as the days get longer.

As is often the case, there are two rows of hand pumps on the bar, cunningly located at either end of the long bar. The one nearest the door has a handy blackboard advertising what's on, which does save the slightly embarrassing head bobs required to see the pump clips through the crowds,

As it had a recommendation from my mate Stuey, who hailing from St. Andrews is practically local, pints of Houston Killellan were duly ordered. Bath Ales Special Pale Ale and Traditional Scottish Ales Sporran Warmer soon followed. All three were in great condition, the Killellan being my personal fav. Looking at their website it seems this small brewery have national distribution, so keep a weather eye.

Something unique to Scottish Wetherspoon pubs is the little Scottish Classics section on the menu of usual stuff.

Indeed I was so intrigued I tried to order some, but they didn't have any. So that was that.

Judging by this natty little display, the Esquire House enjoys a good relationship with the local CAMRA crew.