Our chair Paul Manning and his wife Bev had a recent short trip to Wales.
We had a weekend stay in a converted chapel at Minnford near Porthmadog calling on the way at the Bleeding Wolf pub near Congleton where we enjoyed a Dizzy Blonde, a pale ale by Robinsons brewery.
After a restful evening we walked into Porthmadog the next morning and enjoyed some lovely sunshine at Spooners Bar on Porthmadog railway station. This Good Beer Guide entry pub was flush with real ale and we enjoyed Moho a 4.3% Welsh pale ale by Mantle brewery, Ceridwen a 3.7% Welsh black ale by Bragdy brewery, Solstice Three Tuns a 3.9% pale by Bishops castle brewery in Shropshire and finally Snowdonia Ale a 3.8% golden pale by the local Purple Moose, brewery.
Suitably refreshed we boarded our Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railway steam train for a 13 mile return journey to Blaenau Ffestiniog. The scenery was very nice especially and surprisingly the slate hillsides. The railway was built to transport the Welsh slate from the hills to the coast. Of course we enjoyed a bottle of the on board Welsh steam ale, a 3.6% pale from Purple Moose brewery.
Arriving back in Porthmadog we visited the town’s other GBG pub entry, the Australia which was Purple Moose brewery’s local tap. Our favourites were Mono citra a 4.6% session IPA being a collaboration brew with Bragdy brewery and Chocolate Moose a 5.6% chocolate and vanilla stout.
We returned home the next day via a short stop at Llandudno for some bracing sea air. We enjoyed a lovely lunch of Welsh cheese rarebit washed down with a pint of Tetleys Dark Mild at the Tynedale hotel on the promenade astonishingly already decorated for its Christmas breaks!
Well-known micropub blogger, Scott Spencer, recently visited Sheffield where he was guided through one of our published pub heritage walks: Little Chicago. He then visited another eleven pubs, mostly new to his blogs. We started at West Bar taking in the excellent, and varied, beer offerings in the Crow, Shakespeare’s and the Kelham Island Tavern while discussing both happenings from the major expansion of Sheffield in the 18th century and episodes from the 1920s Sheffield gang wars. Also mentioned was local art works, the Methodist Church, George Orwell, the 1884 ‘Drinks Map of Sheffield,’ changes in employment patterns and the positive effect of immigration
Kelham Island followed before the Harlequin, the Riverside and a sweep up to Trippet Lane, via 2/6 and Perch. Full details of Scott’s enjoyable time in Sheffield are available at: https://micropubadventures.co.uk/2024/11/02/2-11-24-sheffield-little-chicago/ . He hopes to visit Sheffield for a third blog at some point next Spring.
On this Sheffield visit, Scott was accompanied by Chris, (Editor of Inspire, the Chesterfield CAMRA magazine) and Sheffield and District CAMRA members Dave, Jenny and Malcolm. Details of the Little Chicago walk and the accompanying booklet are available at: https://sheffield.camra.org.uk/rhp/
On 9th November, over forty SCBF48 volunteers enjoyed a celebratory trip to Nottingham. An early start meant we arrived as the pubs opened. Using the map provided, we split into smaller groups and spread across the city centre in order to sample the beery delights available. Personally, I visited three breweries, a couple of micropubs with football references and several other establishments.
The three breweries, Angel Brewhouse, Neon Raptor and Liquid Light provided a range of beer styles, some strong esoteric keg offerings at the Sneinton Market home of Raptor contrasting with more traditional offerings at the Grade II listed, Angel: Angel Delight Pale 4.9% and Hung, Drawn and Quartered Porter 5.2%. Liquid Light operate from an industrial unit on the edge of the city centre, a site which you struggle to find by accident. Their cosy tap room included four cask ales all at the very reasonable price of £3.50/pint, or less. We appreciated the 1972 quote from Ziggy Stardust: ‘Beer light to guide us.’
Partizan, a micropub named after Partizan Belgrade provided Elusive Brewing Leaves (4.2%). Copious memorabilia include a framed programme from an Inter Cites Fairs Cup game at Elland Road in December 1967. Disappointingly, the Kilpin café, named after, English expatriate, Herbert Kilpin, the founder of AC Milan, had neither cask beer nor a reference to the Rossoneri.
Traditional pubs visited included the grade II listed Bell Inn, the small unspoilt Dragon, a Castle Rock renovation, the Fox and Grapes, one-roomed Kean’s Head and a family-run free house, King William IV (King Billy). Overall, an enjoyable day: good company, good pubs, and good beer.
A Saturday in early October saw your editor out in the Hope Valley getting in some Beer Matters magazine deliveries before visiting Intrepid Brewery’s open day.
The afternoon started jumping on the local train from Dore & Totley station with an intention of heading to Edale, however the two car Northern train was seriously overcrowded so the decision was made to bail out at Hathersage and start deliveries at the Little John Hotel in Hathersage instead, where a beer from Red Willow brewery was enjoyed.
Following the earlier experience of the train service it was decided to use buses instead and the Peak Sightseer Blue route open top bus was utilised for a ride up the valley to Castleton for deliveries and quick halves in the Peak Hotel, Olde Nag’s Head and SwissTap.
That quick pub crawl matched the time it took for the open top bus to go up Winnats Pass to the Blue John Cavern and back and it was rejoined to head down the road to Hope for the Old Hall Hotel.
It was time to visit Intrepid Brewery next, located at Brough Mill which is on the road to Bradwell. Some buses on First’s route 272 go that way but not many and the one that was due failed to operate, however around the same time was the Hulleys bus 173 which runs once every 2 hours so that was boarded for the short run to the brewery!
The set up for the open day involved a pop up bar in the brewery whilst the yard outside had tables and seating along with Sunshine Pizza’s van. A pin was sat on the end of the bar containing a special imperial edition of the Stanage Stout so a half of this was tried, accompanied by a spicy/meaty pizza and both were enjoyed!
It was time to go home and the bus network provided another challenge as the 272 provides an hourly service towards Castleton but no service towards Sheffield for several hours, however it was proved possible to ride the Castleton bound bus to the main road by the Travellers Rest, quickly cross the road and join the Peak Sightseer feeder bus to Woodseats.
An open top bus ride at 6pm in October proved rather cold so the coat was zipped up as high as it would go and my lack of hat was regretted, however there was a reward as the bus climbed up into the hills above Hathersage as a beautiful sunset over the valley was witnessed!
This was pretty much end of season for the Peak Sightseer open top buses, with the last day of operation for 2024 being Saturday 26 October. It was obvious why of course, when I connected onto the regular Stagecoach number 25 to Bradway the existence of a roof and heating was appreciated!
As part of the celebration of a significant birthday I decided to return to Brussels for the “Belgium Beer Weekend”, an annual beer festival that happens in the Grand-Place Brussels.
I had been to the event over ten years ago, and had visited many of the classic brussels beer venues (Cantillon Brewery, Au Bon Vieux Temps etc). This time I was armed with a long list of venues from Dan and Martha at Saint Mars of the Desert, and Eurostar tickets for my Wife and I.
We arrived early Friday evening and first had a delightful seafood meal at “L’Océan” where you select your own fresh fish from a wide range on display, and they then cook it for you. Next on to the bars!
We had to walk past the Poechenellekelder, as it had a queue to get in, so went round the corner to GIST. This is a modern feeling craft beer style bar, with outdoor seating in a square. Its beer list was almost all new to us, but for a first drink we played it safe with a 5% Pils and 6% Hoppy blond. The outdoor bar experience on a warm evening watching the world go by is something not to miss when you get the chance.
Around the next corner was La Porte Noire, which from the outside didn’t promise much, but is a proper cellar bar, with an arched roof and exposed brickwork, and a more traditional Belgium beer list, draft and bottles. For a couple of old rock fans the hook was the music being played all evening, a mix of old and newer classics (Hendrix, Nirvana, Sabbath etc), such that it felt like a sophisticated return to our old Sheffield Wapentake Friday nights. Beers we had included Manneken Pils 6%, Val Dieu Blonde 6%, Barbar 8%, and Noir de Dottignies 8.5% all on draft. I need to mention the bar snacks, where a “portion de fromage” turns out to be enough bread and cheese to feed a family!. We ended up leaving after midnight, having wisely resisted the excellent whisky selection on offer.
Saturday drinking started with À La Mort Subite, the first Brussels bar I ever visited, and which again allowed us to sit outside in the sun. It offers draft Timmermans Faro, a style not seen in the UK very often, that has always appealed to my sweet tooth (do I need to mention the Chocolate shops in Belgium?). Next we tried A l’Imaige Nostre-Dame, but sad to say it may be closed down for now.
So round the corner to À la Bécasse, a classic old Belgium bar, where I very much enjoyed the draft Bourgogne Des Flandres 5%. Unfortunately a group of very noisy tourists turned up to the small bar, so we moved on.
After a stop for some of the belgium classic, Moules Frites, we had to walk past the Poechenellekelder, as it had a queue to get in (can you notice a theme), so went round the corner to La Fleur en Papier Doré, a bar famous for its surrealist patrons. A shorter beer list on offer, but Stouterik was a nice change of pace, a 5% dry stout.
Next we went to Cafe Bebo on the way back to our hotel. It says a lot for the belgium beer scene that even an ordinary bar will offer an interesting beer list, so I tried a beer/brewery I’d not come across before Lutgarde IPA 6.5%, and La Chouffe blonde 8% for my wife. Even when we got back to the hotel bar we were able to have some classic Belgium beers, Leffe Blonde 6.6%, Karmeliet 8.4%, Chimay blue 9%.
Sunday afternoon, and time for the festival in the Grande Place. Over 50 breweries present, 500+ beers. A very modern festival, with no entrance fee, and all beer bought via a specific smart card you charged with money, and beer measures costed in “tokens” (2 euro each) taken by the brewer, including 1/2 tokens. In common with almost every bar you go to, the Belgium beer scene that insists you drink your beer in the correct glass, and this applied at the beer festival!!.
You were “charged” a deposit for the glass for every drink, which was put back on your card when you returned it. Alternatively if you liked the glass you could keep it for the cost of the deposit. We ended up keeping our favourites, from Barbar and Martha (for a gift). Highlights of the beers were Bruges Zot Bok 6.5%, Lupulus Hopera 6%, Vicaris Lino 6.5% (brewed with flax), Vicaris triple 8.5%, Barbar Rouge 8%.
The festival was busy but felt very relaxed, with children allowed in, and take your own food in if you wanted.
For a little peace on a Sunday evening we went to the quirky bar at Royal Puppet Theater Toone, which also has a quiet beer garden. It was perfect for avoiding the crowds, and siping a Bush Ambrée 12%.
On the way back we had to walk past the Poechenellekelder, as it had a queue to get in yet again. Finally we tried a random bar near our hotel, Meia-Bar Saint-Gilles and enjoyed St Hubertus Triple Ambre 7.2%.
For a nightcap in our room a bottle of Vleesmeester Brewery Black Pudding bourbon barrel aged impy stout 12% fit the bill, and for the first time in the weekend not in the correct glass.
I can highly recommend a beery trip to Brussels, for the Belgium Beer weekend festival or not, there’s always somewhere interesting just around the corner. I know I’ll return, if only to finish my list of venues, and finally get into Poechenellekelder.
Eyam Brewery is in our branch area and their beer always prove popular at our Steel City Beer & Cider Festival so when they announced their third and final open day of the year and we hadn’t got anything on that day we arranged a branch social trip.
The Stagecoach 65 bus from Sheffield drops off in the centre of Great Hucklow village just around the corner from the brewery providing a handy way of getting there, with some fantastic Peak District scenery to enjoy as part of the ride.
We arrived in the village at 12:30pm, half an hour before the brewery was due to open so we visited the Queen Anne pub first, which had two real ales available – Bass and Castle Rock Harvest Pale. Food was also being served.
At the brewery a pop up bar was set up serving a varied range of 5 cask ales and 4 keg beers, most of which have plague themed names. All were delicious. Sunshine Pizza (who can also be found at our beer festival!) were pitched up outside to provide food to soak up the ale whilst next door the Ground Effect coffee roasters had opened up selling bags of their coffee, showing people around as well as serving cups of coffee to drink!
The bus back was at 4:47pm, providing four pleasant hours in the village for us all!
inside Eyam BreweryThe Sheffield & District CAMRA group sat outside Eyam BreweryGround Effect coffee roasters and a fantastic view were just across the yard from the breweryInside Ground Effect Coffee including their bean roasting machine!
Now I’m not personally that into sportsball of any flavour, however being Sheffield born and bred the local culture declares that it is mandatory to be the supporter of a local football team so I follow the family loyalty to Sheffield United. So obviously, one Saturday afternoon at the beginning of the new football season, I found myself persuaded to go and see Rotherham United play Bristol Rovers at the New York Stadium…
The reason for the trip to Rotherham was my friend Kevin wanting to embark on a new project of seeing matches at football grounds of interest he hadn’t been to before, combined with a few pubs before and after the game. He’s just moved to Rotherham hence being first on the list.
I caught the Tram Train from Sheffield’s Castle Square tram stop through to Rotherham Central station then walked up the hill to the Bluecoats Wetherspoons to meet him. On the way I noticed a venue that was declaring itself an officially designated away fans venue with families welcome, yet it appeared to be a lap dancing club. I’m not sure if perhaps Bristol Rovers fans have a reputation? Either way, the ‘Spoons was busy with fans of both the home and away teams all getting on well together, the Welbeck Abbey beer proving popular and on good form, whilst in contrast a Fuggle Bunny beer was served in poor condition and disappointed.
We also stopped off at the Cutlers Arms, a heritage pub fairly close to the ground, which as you’d expect was busy. This is one of two Chantry brewery pubs located close together and the handpumps were going like the clappers. This pub was making a special effort to promote a family atmosphere before the match with hot dogs and sweets available for the kids.
The match itself was enjoyable enough even if it wasn’t the best football you’ll see, ending with a goal less 0-0 score. There was no beer of interest in the stadium, where the choice beverage was Bovril to wash the Pukka pies down!
After the football we headed to Chantry’s other nearby pub, the New York Tavern for a couple of pints and a chat. The range of Chantry cask Beers included regulars such as Full Moon, Steelos, New York Pale and Iron & Steel Bitter plus a couple of specials and their stout.
With a walk up into the town centre we called in the High House which tends to have a lively atmosphere with football on TV in the afternoon and a DJ on at night but no real ale or craft beer available, as expected. We then headed on to the Three Cranes on the High Street, located in a historic building and has the feel of a micropub on the ground floor but has a large games room upstairs. This used to have a couple of real ales on handpump and the odd craft beer on tap alongside the more mainstream industrial beers, however they’ve now been swept away and the handpumps redundant, in favour of Beavertown, I assume the Heineken sales rep must have been and made them a good offer! The drink of choice here was a black cherry flavour cider from Seacider.
A fast food and non-booze stop was made at McDonalds before continuing to the Bridge Inn, located by the river and Central station. Downstairs this is a rock pub and owned by Old Mill brewery with a couple of their ales on the bar including Stirian Wolf. Upstairs is the Hive live music venue and they had an evening programme of several bands with free entry, we ventured up there in time to catch the end of the first to perform. The headline band was called the Death Wheelers and reassuringly there was a rather impressive collection of motorbikes parked outside the pub! Also outside we ran into former Rotherham beer festival stalwart and Wath Tap regular Glyn, on his way home from work!
To finish the evening we returned to the Cutlers, which hosts live music on a Saturday night across two stages. There was a Bon Jovi tribute band playing a ticketed gig on a big stage set up in a marquee behind the pub followed by “Rock of Ages” on a smaller stage inside the pub afterwards. By the time we got there Bon Jovi Forever were about three quarters of the way through their set and we were able to nip in to see them and we can confirm they were good!
First bus X3 (Doncaster to Sheffield) picks up across the road from the Cutlers so the 22:45 bus took me back to Sheffield Interchange and a final beer was enjoyed in town before ordering a taxi home!
The options for good beer in Rotherham town centre are sadly limited these days but aside from Wetherspoons the flag is still being flown for both real ale and live music by Chantry and Old Mill breweries and an enjoyable day was had!
Arriving in town a little before the train departing at 11:44, I decided to see what The Bankers Draft had to offer. As it happened they had a rather nice Salamander Golden on, a nice blonde /Golden of 4.5%.
Nearing departure, I walked down to Midland Station. The queue is always a little long, as they only have 2 ticket staff on a Saturday. However, they got through people quickly and this gave me time for a half in The Sheffield Tap. As always, there is a good choice of 6-7 wickets. I went for one I had not drank before, a Mad Ape – Twistin’ My Melon Man, a delightful wheat beer coming in at 4.8%.
So, off to platform 4a for the train that was travelling to Leeds via Barnsley. I saw Malcolm and Graham before boarding and we began the journey, only stopping at Meadowhall. On alighting we met Malc Anderson, who had boarded, but due to being sardined in, he couldn’t move to find us.
Setting off at midday for our first destination, Spiral City in The Arcade. We were met by nice surroundings, including a vinyl record shop, but only 2 ales. We all plumped for the Stancill -Sweet Caroline, a pale at 4.1%.
Bang across at the Jolly Tap, we were glad to see around 6-7 beers from the Jolly Boys’ Brewery. This is where Andy C and Rob caught up. I had a nice APA called Supa-Citra, packing a decent punch of 4.2%. If that wasn’t your thing though, they had bitter, a stout and pales to suit.
Up to the top of The Arcade and round the corner sits one of Barnsley’s institutions, the Old #7. Recently under new management, but still with 6 wickets to choose from, mainly local beers from Acorn, Thornbridge etc. I always like to try one I haven’t had before, so Little Critters – Luna Peach Pale Ale fitted the bill. A very nice refreshing pint for a summers day.
Now, this is where the fun started. 3 of us were a little peckish and needed sustenance. I remember there used to be a chip shop near The Kestral, so using Google Maps on my phone, we set off for there. Big mistake, as my phone took us all the way round to where we started. We actually gave up and got a snack from Pound Bakery to fill the gap. Then, setting off to meet the rest of the group at The Nailmaker Tap #2, Malcolm’s phone took us the wrong way round, when we could have cut a fair bit off. A few phone calls, and a mile later, we arrived, but at least Graham had a good moan about getting his steps in.
We were joined there by Malc’s partner, Ally. Again, a decent little range, and choosing the Craven Brew Co – Beyond the Pale we sat out in the sun. Next on the list was the George and Dragon, a more traditional establishment, albeit with a nice beer garden to bake in. A smaller selection, but the Stancill – Dr Rudi, an EPA of 4% was a good choice for the warm day.
We then had the short walk to another nice bar, The Tarn End Tap. Modern, but quirky with a musical theme. The beers were solid with my tipple being a Durham Brewery – Pina Colada, an IPA Milkshake of 4.5%, fruity as hell and delicious. An ideal beer to sing the Rupert Holmes song to ( You have to be of a certain age).
We were still on the periphery of town, so we made the effort to call at Heaven & Ale, again a quirky pub that Barnsley seem to have a knack of creating. The North Riding – Single Hop APA Comet, at 4.2%, then a Brew61 – Spring Meadow 4.7% IPA, kept things relatively sensible. Here we bid farewell to Malcolm and Graham who wished to depart a little earlier.
Time was ticking, and we had a couple more visits ro complete. Andy C, Rob and myself popped in the Garrison, no real ale, but Brewdog Hazy Jane as good as it got. Not a bad bar though, busy and live music present. The last bar was Bar Ruelle on Regent Street South, bang opposite the Interchange. I forgot to log my beer, but they had a nice selection of Pale, Porter and bitter.
Catching the train home, we made the executive decision to get off at Chapletown to have beer and food. Graham, the sly old devil had the same idea and we saw him outside after getting our Neepsend – Blonde, 4%. With their Loaded Chip butty calling to us, we ordered the bacon, cheese and black pudding versions. They are huge and cooked beautifully, not bad for around £7.
Getting into early evening, I chose to catch the 83 to Southey Library and walk down the hill, rather than the train into town which Andy and Rob did.
All in all, Barnsley is emerging as a great little real ale stomping ground with its reasonably compact layout. Well worth the £5-7 train ticket for a day out. The service is frequent and fairly fast too. The 7 of us enjoyed it massively.
Trains are operated by Northern and run from Sheffield to Barnsley up to 4 times an hour, taking around 20-30 minutes depending on the number of stops. An off peak return costs £7 or an anytime return costs £8.30 with discounts sometimes available if specific times are booked in advance. A “South Yorkshire Connect Plus” ticket is also available offering a day of unlimited bus, train and tram travel in the county for £10.70.
I have friends who live in Nether Edge, in Catcliffe and in Hillsbrough. My wife and I live in Dagenham and visit Sheffield a few times a year, we visited last month for the Tramlines music festival.
We felt the line up on Saturday was not to our liking so my friend John decided it was time for a pub crawl around an area of Sheffield that I hadn’t visited before, around Chesterfield Road and Abbeydale Road.
We took the bus easily from the city centre and met at The Sheaf View at lunchtime. The landlord was very chipper commenting on my Sheafs t shirt from the now disbanded band (hello lads if you’re reading this). He said it was the best pub with Sheafs in the name, that the left hand corner pump was the most popular and that the bagels he sells are the best in the city. Bold claims for sure!! I chose a pint of Bessemer Blonde from local Blue Bee brewery and sat in their garden. It was a clean crisp pint which I scored 3.5 out of 5 on a well known beer app.
We’d soon all met and finished our first drinks so we took the short walk up the hill to what is now called The Brothers Arms but from the outside used to be known as Ye Olde Shakespeare Inn. Again we sat in the garden which had a fantastic view. I chose a pint of Nectaron by Pictish Brewing Company, another solid pale ale that I also scored at 3.5.
Down the hill next to the White Lion. It had had started raining as we got to the pub so we sat in one of their snugs. I do like a pub with a snug. As I was on the quest for new beers I chose Park Life from the Tiny Rebel brewery in Newport, South Wales rather than the always fantastic Titanic Plum Porter. A bad mistake!! The beer was fresh but just not to my taste. I scored it 2.5 the lowest score of the day.
We tried to go into The Crown Inn but one of our 11 is only 9 and they only had a license for adults so they missed out on some good income especially as we were all ready for a bit of food.
Instead we walked across the River Sheaf and on to The Broadfield Ale House on Abbeydale Road where I had a pint of Twin Coast by Sharps Brewery in Cornwall. Again well kept. Again fresh and tasty. Again scored 3.5. At least I’m consistent!! It was a busier pub and had a younger crowd shown by all the check in’s on the app. I have to give a shout out to the sausage rolls which are to die for with each having a couple of pork scratchings on the top!!
The next stop was almost next door, to Two Thirds Beer Co, another venue for the young uns, where I enjoyed a pint of Sundancer from another local Sheffield brewery Triple Point, a hazy IPA that I scored yet another 3.5. On first sip I thought I should have ordered two thirds of a pint instead given the name of this bar!!
We then visited the basement bar Picture House Social a real games venue where we all played the weirdest game of Shuffle Board I’ve ever seen. Played with big sticks and down a lane around the length of a bowling alley. In London it’s more of a long table top game. Who was the best player? 9 year old Evie of course!! As we were so close to the brewery and as they were on, I had two from Abbeydale Brewery, a pint of Daily Bread scored at just 3 and a half of the ever popular Deception scored at a high so far of 3.75 brought down a little as served in a plastic due to us playing the game.
Next we decided it was time for some music as The Fringe festival was on. We headed for the city centre but stopped for a quick half in Jabbarwocky where we saw the end of a set by a 2 piece band, a guitarist and a trumpet player where I enjoyed Ribbons of Distinction Nelson Pale Ale by Carnival Brewing Company over in Liverpool which also scored 3.75.
A taxi was called over to Dorothy Pax, a very pleasant pub by the canal where we sat outside and heard sets by 2 bands. Here we were also served in plastics and I had a pint of Black Sheep Respire which I thought was very good and should be as mainstream as Black Sheep Bitter. I scored it 3.75. I also had a pint of IPA by Peak Ales a flavoursome beer at the day’s strongest 6%. I only scored this 3.25 of 5 probably because my taste buds were used to weaker beers.
We then decided to go for a curry but had time for one last beer in one of our favourite pubs The Crow Inn where I enjoyed a pint of Small Town by MBH Beer from Knutsford, Cheshire which I scored 3.5. We then walked back down the hill to 7 Spices Tandoori for what was a fantastic and very well needed curry.
We visited 9 pubs 7 of which were new to me. I enjoyed 10 pints and managed 11 new beers on the day which was very good for my quest for new beers. None of them were spectacular but I would have had a second pint of 10 of them.
I had a fantastic day. Each pub was different to the next, each had their quirks and each is worth a visit. Most importantly each knew how to keep and serve their beer. A visit to this part of the city is equally as rewarding as a visit to the popular Kelham Island. Maybe next time we’ll visit some of the hostelry’s we missed out this time.
We recently visited Castleford: an interesting mix of new bars and long-established outlets. The Ninth opened the day before our visit and provided, among others, Horsforth House Trousers (4.4%). Other recently established outlets, Doghouse and Yorkshire Craft Beers, have a range of cask/craft beers. Among others, Doghouse provided Amber (4.5%) from Selby-based, Jolly Sailor and Theakston Peculiar IPA (5.1%). The latter is hopped with UK-grown Harlequin, Jester and Olicana.
Yorkshire Craft is located in an old riverside mill, close to the 2008 Millennium Bridge with its striking curved design. This compliments the nearby railway underpass, Tickle Cock Bridge.
Wetherspoons outlet, the Glass Blower, the ex-main post and sorting office, provided an excellent 6% pale, Hoptropolis, brewed at Hook Norton, with assistance from Mitch Steele (New Realm Brewing, Atlanta). Voted the Champion Beer in the Autumn 2023 Wetherspoons Beer Festival, this IPA utilises American Azacca, Citra and Mosaic hops. Locally, glass-making began in the 17th century. 200 years later, it was Castleford’s main industry, disappearing with the 1983 closure of United Glass.
Our last beer was in the Junction, a GBG pub which, for several years, has prided itself on providing ‘beer from the wood,’ the Old Mill Styrian Wolf (4.2%) hitting the spot before the train home.
Dave & Simon Pickersgill
Castleford can easily be reached from Sheffield by train – the Sheffield to Leeds all stations stopping service operated by Northern calls there.
