18/02/23 – Calder Valley Line

• WordPress
• Facebook
• Twitter
• Instagram

If you enjoy reading please consider “buying me a pint”, this will help to cover my hosting and image hosting and help to ensure further trips can go ahead!
BUY ME A PINT

IF YOU ARE READING VIA EMAIL PLEASE CLICK HERE TO REGISTER YOUR VIEW/READ OF IT 🙂

A day out starting at Todmorden and working back towards Leeds calling at Hebden Bridge, Mytholmroyd and Sowerby Bridge. Includes some Micropubs, Bottle Shops, Brewery Taps and Brewery Bars and lots more. A great day out by train.

The Market Tavern

Located inside Todmordens indoor market, which dates from 1879, this small micropub opened in October 2019. It now consists of a small bar at the back along with a seating area for customers to use.

A selection of three real ales available here, all three being from “Reedley Hallows Brewing Co” which is based in nearby Burnley. I went with “Nook of Pendle” a warming amber ale at 5% ABV.

The Alehouse

A short walk from the indoor market brings me to “The Alehouse”, situated amongst a row of shops and small cafes. A one roomed micropub with seating outside under heaters aswell as inside seating.

A great choice here of 5 real ales, alongside a craft ale and lager. I started with “Pendulum” – Oakham Brewery’s 30th Anniversary Beer, a tasty pale ale, followed by “Crouch” from Front Row Brewing based in Congleton. A great tasting English Bitter.

My next call would have been “The Pub”, but unfortunately this was closed (although the opening times showed 12). This has moved into bigger premises around the corner since my last visit. So back on the train this time heading to Hebden Bridge.

Vocation & Co

The first call here was to “Vocation & Co”, a bar run by Vocation Brewery opposite the canal marina. A very busy place which was near full inside and outside.

A brilliant choice of beers available with 4 real ales alongside 20 craft keg beers, the majority from Vocation Brewery alongside several guest beers. I started with “Sprinkle and Squeeze”, described as a Lemon and Sugar Pancake Sour, tasty and tart at the same time. I followed with “Death by Cherries”, a delicious sour cherry beer.

Drink

Onto a favourite of mine in Hebden Bridge next, “Drink”. A bottle shop and tasting room on the main street through the town. Seating both downstairs and upstairs with the bar at the back. Fridges full of beers to buy to drink in or takeaway surround the downstairs seating.

A fantastic choice of beers again, 3 real ales and 6 craft keg beers (3 of which are permanent) . I decided to go with a sour beer from Cloudwater Brewery in Manchester, “Gentle Breeze”, a tasty cherry sour at 4.5% ABV.

Old Gate

Over the road for the next pub call to a large modern style pub which was bustling with people inside and outside (despite the drizzle). A great venue for both drinks and food.

A brilliant line up of 9 real ales, alongside several craft keg beers and a real cider to choose from. Lots of choice for everyone here. I went with “Hindmarsh” from Marble Beers. A long time since ive seen one from this brewery. A really hoppy tropical delight to drink.

The Pub

This originally opened in 2015 as the original and first micropub in Calderdale and was known as “Calans”. Now known as “The Pub”, with new owners who have extended the beer range after taking over. A small inside seating area, with covered seating areas outside (or a suntrap in the summer).

Front bar here had 6 real ales on, with a keg wall on the back with several craft keg beers available. I went with “Stallion Amber” from Hambleton Brewery based in North Yorkshire. Another great tasting Bitter, made in the traditional way with added hops at the end.

Cheesus

A great place for some food next, “Cheesus”. A small side street bar which specialises in Cheese Toasties in different styles. A small bar inside with several tables, with undercover outdoor seating.

Bottled Ales are available here from Little Valley Brewery, which is brewed in Hebden Bridge. I went with “Tod’s Blonde”, a tasty blonde ale. Paired this with a delicious cheese toastie with homemade coleslaw!.

Nightjar

Last call in Hebden Bridge was to “Nightjar”, a small Micropub which opened in June 2017 in the listed Hebden Bridge Picture House building. It is the tap for nearby “Nightjar Brew Co”. Offers seating both inside and outside (under cover). Again another really busy pub, great to see.

Choice of 3 real ales and 4 craft keg beers on the bar today. 2 of the real ales being from their own brewery along with a guest. I went with “Dealers Choice”, a delicious and tasty pale ale from “Brighton Bier”.

Barbary’s

A walk back up to the train station to head to Mytholmroyd. One pub here to do which is a few minutes walk from the station. “Barbary’s” is a small two roomed micropub with a great covered outside seating area.

A really smart bar with lots of choice. 8 craft keg lines and 4 real ale cask lines. I went with “Foggy Day” from Overtone Brewery based in Glasgow. I love Hazy Pales and this one did not dissapoint.

Hogs Head Brew House

A quick train journey to Sowerby Bridge for my last call of the day to the “Hogs Head Brew House”. A pub and brewery I last visited in October 2021, and is inside a former 18th century malthouse which has been beautifully renovated to what it is now.

The brewery is located at the back of the pub, far too busy in here to get near for a photo. Again its great to see people supporting local businesses. A choice of 8 real ales, alongside a craft keg selection. I started with “Mosaic S.M.A.S.H”, a well balanced pale ale packed with Mosaic Hops. Followed with “Hoppy Valley”, their own version of a hoppy blonde ale, really tasty.