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Starting in Clitheroe at Bowland Brewery tap along with a number of other pubs in Clitheroe, followed by Darwen for The Hopstar Brewery Tap and 12 Steps Brewery Pub, and finishing off with Micropubs in Blackburn and Burnley.
Holmes Mill / Bowland Beer Hall
After heading to Clitheroe on the train. I headed down to Holmes Mill (around a 10-12 minutes walk from the station). It opened in July 2016. This is housed in a former 19th Century Mill which has been superbly renovated to a fantastic standard and utilises things that were part of the mill. It also won UK Tap Room of the year in 2022.
The site includes a Hotel (also a Wedding Venue), Beer Hall, Bowling Alley, Cinema and Food Hall. The food hall has lots of Lancashire produce, local gins and spirits, Bowland Brewery Beers plus lots more including cafes.
The outside of the beer hall, showing the old Mill Building.
On entering Bowland Beer Hall, there is a huge rectangular bar which is now the second largest bar in the UK at 106ft.
Packed full with 40 Hand Pumps and a range of 23 beers usually available, which includes a full range of Bowland Brewery beers including Boxer Blonde, Buster IPA, Deer Stalker, Gold, Pheasant Plucker and Hen Harrier.
The engine that used to power the Mill Looms has been excellently restored and is a separate area of the bar “Engine Room”. You can sit and enjoy a drink right next to it.
The brewery itself is also housed at the back of the bar, and can easily be seen from sitting near the bar. To top that all the wood for the tables and bar are all from reclaimed wood from the mill.
Rose & Crown Hotel
On heading back into the centre, I dropped into the “Rose & Crown Hotel”. A Thwaites pub on the outskirts of town and a short walk from Clitheroe Castle.
Three Thwaites beers on the bar – “Gold, IPA and Original”. I went with the Original. A beer ive had several times before and always enjoyed.
The Beer Shack
Situated a five minute walk from the Railway Station, “The Beer Shack” opened in 2021. It has rooms both upstairs and outside and is beautifully done out with wood throughout. Great selection of bar food snacks in addition.
A choice of four real ales and a number of craft keg beers available along the back wall of the bar. Started with “Slow Sundays” from Neighbourhood Brew Co based in Stockport. A great tasting Golden Ale to start with. Followed by “Wastrel”, a deliciously tart sour beer from The Meanwood Brewery in Leeds.
The Ale House
A short walk downhill away from the Railway Station to “The Ale House”. Another bar with a great rustic looking charm, as with the last one all done out in wood throughout.
Another great selection of beers, this time five real ales and 3 craft keg beers on the board. Included local breweries and those from further afield. I went with “Mandarina Madness” from Firebrand Brewing based in Cornwall. A Pale Ale using three hops – Mandarina, Bavaria and Mosaic. Tasted great!
Corto
Last call in Clitheroe was to “Corto”, this one being a few minutes walk from the Railway Station. This originally opened in 2020 as an off licence but became a bar in Spring of 2021. A clean refreshing bar and very welcoming as I entered.
A great selection of seven keg beers alongside a real ale from Wishbone Brewery in Skipton. Started with a sour beer from Pastore Brewery in Cambridgeshire – “La Cheesecake Strawberry, Oreo”. A mouth watering cheesecake pastry sour with strawberries, cookies and vanilla. Followed by the new “Iron Brew 2023” from Vault City.
Dont miss the bar snack selection here. The Grilled Cheese sandwich with Chilli Sauce was brilliant, one of the best ive had.
Bird in th’hand
Back on the train now direct from Clitheroe to Darwen. A short walk downhill from the Railway Station to “Bird in th’hand”. Situated on the main road, this small bar is the brewery tap of 12 Steps Brewery aswell as being a Micropub. It originally opened in December 2018.
Four real ales on to choose from, two of them being from their own 12 Steps Brewery, alongside a choice of keg craft beers. Started off with “Step 5”, a delicious Mosaic Pale Ale, followed by a keg sour beer “Mango Tang” from Lervig Brewery.
Number 39 / Hopstar Brewery Tap
A walk back through town brings me to “Number 39” which is the brewery tap for Hopstar Brewery. A busy pub which was full of locals enjoying the breweries beers.
Four real ales on the bar all from Hopstar Brewery, a new Brewery for me. Started with “Lancashire Gold” at 4% ABV, followed by “JC” at 4.1%, a copper beer. Both very enjoyable.
The Drummers Arms
Train back from Darwen now and onto Blackburn. A short walk cutting through The Mall to “The Drummers Arms”. A micropub which is packed full of brewery and pub memorabilia as you walk in on the walls. Looks great and nice to see it very busy. Although a bit cold there is seating at the front aswell.
Five real ales available all from local breweries and a great range – 2 light, 1 red and 2 darker beers. Went with “Cracking Shot” from Burnley based Reedley Hallows Brewing Co. A fresh tasting Golden Ale.
New Brew-M
Last call of the day, this time back on the train again from Blackburn to Burnley Manchester Road. Burnley itself has 3 railway stations – Central, Barracks and Manchester Road. A walk down the hill into town brings me to “New Brew-M”. This acts as the “Reedley Hallows Brewery” Tap. The bar itself used to be located on the opposite side of the road, but relocated in September 2018 to new premises which also has an upstairs area,
Five real ales on the bar, 3 being from Reedley Hallows Brewery along with two guest beers. “Centurion Pale Ale” from Merseyside based Parker Brewery was my drink of choice. A bright and fresh pale ale.
Micropub Adventures 
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