30/04/22 – Skipton and Shipley

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Group trip with the local Pub to Skipton Beer Festival followed by a trip around the Micropubs in Skipton and back home via Shipley.

Early Doors

After leaving the festival (held at the Town Hall), we first headed to Early Doors, small single room micropub. It takes its name from a comedy show called “Early Doors” which was set in a Manchester Pub.

5 hand pulled cask ales available. A mix of Yorkshire breweries and Lancashire, and a choice of Light, Bitter and Stout.

Decided to go with the “B.Y.B – Best Yorkshire Bitter” from Craven Brew Co. This was formerly Naylors who ceased trading as a result of COVID. Really good beer!

The Woolly Sheep Inn

An 18th Century pub, owned by Timothy Taylor brewery situated at the bottom of the high street. The pub itself has a number of indoor and outdoor areas with seating to choose from.

The bar serves the range of Timothy Taylor beers ranging from light to mild to dark, so something to suit everyone. Went with the “Golden Best” this time. A beer ive had before and was really good last time.

The Beer Engine

After passing the closed “Two Doors Inn” we headed up to The Beer Engine. Great bar with both inside and outside seating. It had been extended this year (I last visited in 2020) and have taken over an adjacent unit.

Serves a selection of 6 Cask Ales and 5 Keg Beers, some local and some further afield. Saw they had a “Beatnikz Republic” beer on named Everyday Pale. As the brewery closed on Friday, this was probably the last chance to have a beer from them!, Wasnt disappointed.

Great to see the beers behind a glass screen at the bar aswell.

The Mess Room

Over the canal and into The Mess Room. A small micropub which is located in the Old Fire Station which overlooks Skipton Canal Basin.

A selection of 4 cask ales here and a number on keg. Went with the Y.P.A (Yorkshire Pale Ale) by Craven Brew Co. Lovely to sit at the front overlooking the canal.

The Boathouse Bar

Back to the other side of the canal and into “The Boathouse Bar”, always very popular and busy. Nice to sit watching the boats pass, and pleasure cruises for £4 for a 30 minute cruise.

As always here a good selection of Cask Ales and Keg Beers. Went with a beer from a Leeds Brewery – “Nomadic – Strider” a delicious bitter.

The Swadford Lounge

A new bar for Skipton (been open around 8 weeks), serving 3 cask ales, keg and a food/cake offering.

Settle, Craven Brew and Wensleydale beers available. Went with E.F.A (Extra Fine Ale) by Craven Brew.

Styles Bar

Last call in Skipton was to Styles Bar, just around the corner from Early Doors. A really friendly small bar, nice to walk in and have a chat with regular customers.

Great selection of beers, both local and further afield. Went with New Zealand Pale from Reedly Hallows, a great refreshing pale ale.

Back on the train to head down to Shipley next.

Saltaire Brewery Tap

A lovely 15 minute walk along the canal-side to Saltaire Brewery Tap.

Saltaire Brewery first started brewing in March 2006. The first time I visited the tap was in a small building at the front of the site (on the roadside), this has now moved into the brewery building itself.

The bar area is on a raised level, with a great range of both cask and keg beers. Went for the DDH (Double Dry Hopped) Citra on Cask.

The Fox

Last call of the day was to “The Fox”, situated just behind Shipley Train Station. This pub is also home to BEEspoke micro-brewery.

A nice range of keg and cask beers again on here, including two beers that were brewed downstairs in the micro brewery. Went with “Plan Bee”, made downstairs – a 3.8% Pale Ale.