30/04/23 – Harrogate, Starbeck and Kirkstall

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A day out over the first May Bank Holiday weekend. Visiting several Micropubs, Brewery Bars and Independent bars in Harrogate before heading up to Starbeck to Harrogate Brewing Co and The Office Micropub, and finishing at Hornbeam Park for Roosters Brewing Co Tap Room. Finishing off around Horsforth and Kirkstall.

Harrogate Tap

First call of the day is to the “Harrogate Tap”, located on Platform 1 at Harrogate Train Station. Using part of the original 1862 train station (rumoured to be the first building in Harrogate to be built using bricks). This opened in late 2013.

Superbly renovated and looks amazing when walking inside. Lovely wooden features throughout with high ceilings.

A great selection of beers on here starting with 11 cask ales, 2 hand pull ciders and a large range of keg beers.

I went with a sour beer from Ampersand Brew Co which I visited last year near Norwich. The beer was a “Blueberry Cheesecake Dessert Sour”, a really tart and refreshing beer.

HUSK

Next onto a bar and bottle shop (which used to be just a bottle shop located at the bottom end of town). This opened in October 2022.

A great keg beer selection alongside two cask beers and fridges full of local, national and international beers to choose from to drink in or takeaway.

I started with “Schofferhofer Grapefruit” , a delicious Radler ive not seen for a while, and followed by a can from Vault City Brewery “Fruit Salad Session Sour”.

The Disappearing Chin

A short walk to the next pub, a Micropub situated next to the bus station and accessible from both streets. A small bar with a botanical feel to it when you walk inside with some great items placed around the bar.

A great selection of beers available here. 3 cask ales alongside a choice of 8 keg beers. All 3 of Turning Point Brewerys Custard Sessions were on the bar (2 on keg and 1 on cask), brewed locally in Knaresborough. I went for “Pink Matter Custard”, a tasty raspberry dessert pale with lots of flavour.

Cold Bath Brewing Co

A walk to the bottom of town next to visit “Cold Bath Brewing Co”. A large bar which incorporates the brewing equipment on a top level which you can see when entering the pub. The bar itself is a conversion from a commercial property.

Lots of choice here beer wise, 3 cask ales all brewed by Cold Bath, alongside 10 keg lines, mostly brewed in house again. I went with “Small Bath Pale Ale”, a delicious easy drinking pale ale at 4.4% ABV.

Starling

A short uphill walk now heading back into town to get to “Starling”, a pub which ive visited previously but in November 2022 it extended into the premises next door to make it larger and more spacious. It looks great inside.

Another bar with lots of choice again, 6 cask beers and 10 keg beers on the bar here to choose from, and great to see lots of local and Yorkshire breweries featured. I went with “Mistmode”, a Lime and Passionfruit Sour from Pollys Brewery in Wales.

Little Ale House

Next onto the “Little Ale House”, which has been open since 2016. A great small micropub and was Harrogate’s first. Superbly decorated inside with some great features, log fires aswell as being able to see where the beers are dispensed from. Outside seating also to the front and the back.

A great choice of beers with there being 5 cask beers and 5 keg beers with some really good choices. I went with a sour beer from Vault City “Cranberry Double Currant Vanilla”, the name says it all, really tart and refreshing.

This was the last call in Harrogate, so I headed back to the train station to get a train up to Starbeck (about a 6 minute journey on the train).

Harrogate Brewing Co

A 15 minute walk from the train station to “Harrogate Brewing Co”, which is located in an industrial estate near Morrisons Supermarket. I first visited here a few years back during COVID Restrictions which meant it was takeout only. The brewery changed hands in 2020 and since then has seen a big increase in brewery capacity.

A selection of 8 Keg Beers (all from the brewery onsite), alongside 4 cask beers, 2 of which were from Harrogate Brewing Co, and 2 guests from VOG Brewery based in Barry, Wales. I started with “Wavey Marms”, a fruity and hoppy session IPA. Following this I went with one of the VOG Guest Beers, “The Time Next Year Rodney”, the first brew in their new brewery in January 2023, a East Coast IPA.

The Office Ale House

A walk back towards the train station, and onto “The Office Ale House”. a new Micropub which has only been open a few weeks, and is less than a minutes walk away from the train station.

A choice of 4 cask ales on the bar here (alongside a fridge full of lots of local bottled beers and other options). Great to see all local breweries aswell. I went with “Astral Voyage” from Knaresborough based Turning Point Brewery. A hoppy tropical beer.

Back on the train again, this time up to Hornbeam Park so only a 10 minute journey back through Harrogate.

Roosters Brewery Tap

A 10 minute walk from Hornbeam Park train station to the end of an industrial estate where “Roosters Brewery Tap” is located. A huge bar inside with the brewery located next to it (through a large window). A very busy place.

Lots to choose from here both cask and keg. 8 cask and 8 keg, some of the beers being available on both. I started with “Twenty Four Seven”, a 4.7% hoppy session IPA, followed by “Sidecar”, a fresh tasting Brandy Barrel Aged Sour at 7%.

Granville’s Beer & Gin House

After getting the train from Hornbeam Park to Horsforth, a short walk brought me to “Granville’s Beer & Gin House”. A former shop unit which has been converted into a vibrant and popular bar.

A great selection of 10 keg beers (Numbers 1-10), and 5 cask beers (Numbers 11-15). the majority being from local breweries. I went with “Rocket Lolly IPA” from Leeds based Northern Monk Brewery. A tasty Strawberry, Orange and Pineapple IPA.

Malt Brewhouse

A walk down the road brought me to “Malt Brewhouse”, a modern style pub which also serves food. Couldnt get near for a photo of the bar but around 4/5 cask ales on here all being local including Kirkstall, Ossett. I went with “Blonde” from Oaks Brewing Co.

Horsforth Brewery Tap

A steady walk downhill and onto “Horsforth Brewery Tap”, a bar which I visited earlier this year. Down a set of steps from the main street into the bar.

As last time, a great selection of beers available. 9 keg beers and 5 cask beers to choose from. I went with “El Calavera”, mainly based on the description of it being a Mexican Lager, a really interesting tasty lager.

The Cardigan Arms

Headed down to Kirkstall next and my first call was to “The Cardigan Arms”. Built in 1896 this spectacular pub was built in an elaborate Italianate style it is named after the Earl of Cardigan who was a major landowner around the Burley and Headingley area. Kirkstall Brewery who now run the pub have brought it back to life.

A wide choice of 9 keg beers and 7 cask beers, a number of them being from Kirkstall Brewery alongside guests. I went with “Bitter”, from Kirkstall Brewery. A very simple but tasty traditional English Bitter.

Dave’s Pies & Ale

A few doors down to “Dave’s Pies & Ale” next. This opened in November 2021 but the bar has a very traditional feel to it. It serves a selection of hot pies (served with Mushy Peas if you want with Brown Sauce and Mint Sauce to accompany).

3 handpulls here serving beers from Yorkshire. I went with “Mary Jane” from Ilkley Brewery, a easy drinking 3.5% Session Pale. A favourite of mine ive had many times before.

Kirkstall Brewery Tap

Last call of the night was to “Kirkstall Brewery Tap”, located next to Emmerdale Studios on the road heading into Leeds. A large one roomed bar done out in a traditional style and covered in brewery memorabilia throughout.

On entering the building and turning right into the bar, you can see the brewery on the left hand side.

A great choice of beers on the bar here (or in cans if you want to takeaway), and includes pretty much all of the Kirkstall Brewery range. 7 Cask ales and 12 Keg beers to choose from. I went with “Virtuous Grapefruit”, Virtuous is a delicious beer from Kirkstall Brewery but Grapefruit added to it is so tasty.

The pizzas at Kirkstall Brewery are also worth going for. All freshly made and served piping hot. The 4 cheese pizza tonight was delicious.