Beer Matters pub profile: The Wellington

With a reputation for cask ales and speciality lagers, Beer Matters to every pub in Mitchells & Butlers' central London chain Nicholson's. Here is how just one of them has forged a reputation as the place to go for a reliably decent pint.

The Wellington, found on the Strand in the heart of the West End, follows the tried and tested formula seen throughout Nicholson's. Manager Declan Smith recognises the importance of a large beer range to the concept's success.

"I believe that the pub's beer range is fantastic as it is a Nicholson's pub," he says.

"We have a wide range of ales available at all times, from smaller regional breweries to larger national breweries, including permanent and seasonal products."

From brands by Beer Matters partner Greene King to ale fans' favourites from microbrewers, a rotating range of beers is poured from the pub's handpumps, of which there are at least six being used at any time.

"Cask ale is the speciality beer of Britain and we take great pride in serving it in the pub. Its success lies in the attention to detail we place in making sure it is correctly handled and perfectly served," Smith adds.

To prove this attention to detail to prospective customers, all Nicholson's pubs are accredited by the Cask Marque scheme. The Wellington, like all its sister pubs, has one member of staff elected as the 'ale ambassador', responsible for ensuring skills and knowledge are tip-top among the whole team.

But perhaps the factor that stands out most with Nicholson's attention to beer is how it promotes its products. The Wellington has a guest ale board, bold polished fonts on the front bar and blackboards showing what ales are about to be put on. For example, the autumn range of beers which goes on sale today (September 21) has been promoted well in advance in outlets.

The Wellington also features as one of eight pubs on a Nicholson's ale trail of 'Theatre Land' that encourages customers to visit a number of the historical watering holes in return for merchandise.

The Publican's Beer Matters initiative has been stressing best practice in beer service for some time. Smith believes heeding this can reap rewards. "Anything that increases the quality and standards of beers across the country can only be a good thing," he says.

The pub

The Wellington, Westminster, London

• Mitchells & Butlers managed pub

• The Wellington dates back to the early 1900s and retains many of its original features - including a neo-Gothic exterior and long wooden bar

• Manager Declan Smith discovered cask beer after moving from his native South Africa. "If you'd asked me what I'd be drinking in 10 years when I first moved, I would have said I'd never move from my ice-cold lager," he says