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My day today takes me to Hinckley, Earl Shilton and Nuneaton. Firstly is to Hinckley, well known for its famous award winning market starting in 1311. I first visited “The Crafty Baron”, onto “Elbow Cask & Craft” before finishing at “Pestle & Mortar”. A short bus ride to nearby Earl Shilton to visit “The Shilton Vaults”, and finishing in Nuneaton, well know as being the birthplace of the Victorian novelist George Eliot. Visited “The Lord Hop”. These can all be done on the bus route 148/158 between Leicester and Nuneaton.
New Baron of Hinckley
My first call in Hinckley is to the “New Baron of Hinckley”, which was formerly a Wetherspoons. It was reopened in October 2019 by new owners Elmesthorpe Brewery Co w ho are based locally. A seating area outside at the front and a seating areas split over 3 levels inside.
3 cask ales on the bar today with one of them being from their own brewery. I went with their own beer “Baron’s Best Bitter”, a tasty amber coloured, easy drinking traditional bitter.
Elbow Cask & Craft
A short walk towards the Railway Station brings me to my second call which is into “Elbow Cask & Craft”. A great Micropub style pub which has a great industrial style feel to the place. A great outdoor area to the front as well which was lovely sitting in whilst the sun was out. A lovely warm welcome from Kevin behind the bar today. Also managed to meet up with follower David as well (pictured in the next pub).
Beers are served from a cellar behind the bar which you can see through windows behind the bar. A fantastic line up of cask and keg beer, and regularly host events showcasing international breweries. Started with “Loved Trippy” from Swedish based Elmeleven Brewery. A delicious dark berries and pineapple pulp sour, packed full of flavour. Followed by “Happy Endings” from Salisbury based Dark Revolution Brewery. A super hoppy and hazy pale ale, delicious!
The Pestle & Mortar
A short 6 minute walk through the market and high street to the other end of Hinckley. Went into “The Pestle & Mortar”. This opened in August 2015 after previously being Halsteads the Chemist. A lovely long one roomed Micropub with the bar located on the left hand side. Tables which are decorated with pump clips look great. Some instructions in the toilet which made me laugh as well.
A great line up of cask and keg beers, alongside a large choice of ciders. Draught Bass is permanently on here as one of the cask ales. I went with “Darkside” from Derby based Falstaff Brewery. A tasty Mild ale with flavours of dark chocolate and plum, great beer.
Shilton Vaults
A short bus ride from Hinckley on the 148 or 158 in the Leicester direction brings me to Earl Shilton. Here I visited “Shilton Vaults”, sister to my previous visit to “Pestle & Mortar”. This opened in September 2018 in the former NatWest Bank building. Split into 3 rooms with a small outside area at the rear. Lovely warm welcome from Sue in here.
Another good selection of cask and keg beers, alongside a number of ciders. Great to be able to see the cellar/cold-room from the bar area. Went with “Mork” from Derby based Falstaff Brewery. A very light and easy drinking pale ale.
The Lord Hop
My last call is a bus ride from Earl Shilton, back through Hinckley and onto Nuneaton. A short walk from the Bus Station brings me to “The Lord Hop”. A lovely Micropub over two floors, recently taken over by Paul and Ellen and a really warm welcome from them both today. Glad to see them are doing well.
A great line up of cask and keg beers, with the cask beers located behind the bar. A large choice of ciders served from a fridge as well. I started with “Obsidian V2” from West Yorkshire based Bingley Brewery. A light and very easy drinking pale ale using both Azacca and Amarillo hops. I went onto a sour beer from Derbyshire based Shiny Brewery. “Ooohwee” was a passion fruit, guava and pineapple sour, tasty and tart.
Micropub Adventures 