25/09/23 – Chorley and Adlington

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A Monday out around Chorley and Adlington. Starting in Chorley with “Bob Inn”, inside the indoor market before visiting some of the other pubs in the town including “Clarkes Sibin”, “Bens Tap and Bottle Shop”, “Pearsons”, “Flat Iron”, “Traders Taphouse” and finishing at “Malt N Hops”. A jump one stop up on the train next to Adlington, starting at “Retreat” (a converted Church), “Inn the Doghouse” Micropub and the brewery tap for Escape Brewery “The Old Post Office”.

Central Lancashire CAMRA have produced a “Chorley Real Ale Trail”, check it out HERE

Ale Station / Shepherds Hall Ale House

The first 2 pubs I passed walking from the railway station do not open on a Monday but ill include photos of them as they are 2 that you do not want to miss. “Ale Station” has been open since 2016 and “Shepherds Hall Ale House” since 2014.

Bob Inn

My first call of the day is to “Bob Inn”, a bar inside Chorleys indoor market. This is the smallest pub in the local area CAMRA Branch. A really friendly bar which encourages conversation and a great warm welcome here. Seating inside with a unit next to the pub, alongside seating in the indoor market and a bench outside at the front (with a hatch for serving outside).

A choice of 3 cask ales on the bar here, alongside a number of keg choices. I went with a style you dont see too often, “Meg’s Mild”, from Townhouse Brewery who are based in Stoke-on-Trent. A really great style packed full of flavour.

Clarke’s Sibin

Around the corner next to a small bar which opened in December 2021, “Clarke’s Sibin”. This was in the former Age Concern premises. Another warm welcome here, Irish themed , some great music and military memorabilia around the bar.

One cask beer on the bar today from Stockport based Robinsons Brewery. “Dizzy Blonde”, always a great tasting Blonde ale and it didnt disappoint this time.

Ben’s Tap and Bottleshop

Located opposite Bob Inn, “Ben’s Tap and Bottleshop” opened in March 2022 and is the taproom for Ben’s Brewery. This opened around a year after the brewery first started up. A fantastic looking wooden bar the the back of the pub. Seating downstairs, upstairs and outside at the front.

A wide range of bottles and cans are available in fridges to the right hand side of the pub with lots of choices of styles including bottles from their own brewery.

A great selection on the bar here with 6 cask ales on all from Ben’s Brewery, alongside 8 keg lines and a number of real ciders. I started with “Naked Attraction” a tasty hazy IPA. Went with a keg beer after “Early to the Party” a tangy Passionfruit and Apricot Sour from Left Handed Giant Brewery in Bristol.

Pearsons

A short walk brings me to “Pearsons”, a large open plan town centre pub which serves real ale. A friendly welcome at the bar, one that seems popular with locals.

The pub usually serves up to 3 real ales, but only one on today at the start of the week. “Pride of Pendle” from Moorhouses Brewery who are based in Burnley. A very satisfying traditional bitter.

Flat Iron

A 5 minute walk to the opposite side of the market from Bob Inn, brings me to the “Flat Iron”, a really smart looking town centre pub with seating outside to the front of the pub. This pub featured in the first ever CAMRA Good Beer Guide in 1974, described as a ‘true drinker’s pub’ and served beers from Tetley Walker in Warrington.

A fantastic choice of ales, 5 cask ales, a real cider and a number of keg taps to choose from. Something nearer home for me with “South Island” from Saltaire Brewery based in West Yorkshire. A delicious clean and crisp beer with fruity hints. A really enjoyable beer.

Traders Taphouse

A walk to the edge of town next, and located on a corner is the “Traders Taphouse”. A great Victorian two and three storey building. Some great features inside which also show the buildings history. No real ale on here today but Lilleys Mango Cider on handpull so went with this, lovely and refreshing.

One of the walls also has a great mural using photographs showing Chorley on it, looks really great.

Malt ‘N’ Hops

My last call in Chorley is to “Malt ‘N’ Hops”, located on the other side of the railway. The pub itself was converted from an old shop in 1989. Inside the bar is L shaped over 2 levels.

On the bar freshly filled rolls and pies are available. The rolls are delicious. An outdoor beer garden to the rear of the pub allows for outside seating and to catch the sun.

A fantastic range of 9 cask beers on the bar here, spread between the bottom and top section of the L shaped bar. Most of the beers from local breweries with a couple from further afield. Started with “Karma Citra” from Wigan based Wily Fox Brewery, a hoppy golden ale. Went onto “Dazzler” from Wakefield based Ossett Brewery, one of their 25th Anniversary Beers, being one of the very first Ossett beers in 1998.

A short ride on the train next from Chorley to Adlington (a 3 minute journey).

Retreat

My first calling point in Adlington was to “Retreat”, located in a refurbished church, which was previously Christ Church. It dates back to 1839 and eventually closed in 1975, later being sold to the Sharju Restaurant in approximately 1980.

No real ale is served on the bar, but a great selection of Bowland Brewery bottles who are based in Clitheroe are served in bottles. I went for “Bumble”, their Honey Beer, really sweet and packed with flavour.

Inn the Dog House

Over the road is “Inn the Dog House”, this originally opened as a Micropub in February 2019 under the name of “JR’s Ale House”, but changed hands in 2022 and was refurbished and opened under its current name. The premises used to be Budz Florists.

A choice of 2 cask ales available on the bar here, with “White Rat” from Ossett Brewery being on most of the time with the other changing regularly. I went with “Pike” from Horwich based Blackedge Brewery. An easy drinking triple hopped Pale Ale.

The Old Post Office

A short 10 minute walk uphill from the railway station, brings me to a small high street with a number of different shops. My calling point was to “The Old Post Office”. This opened in December 2021. The Ridgway Arms used to be on the other side of the road but this is now Tescos. The Old Post Office is the taproom for Bolton based “Escape Brewery”.

A beautifully done out old building which keeps the character of it, the post box at the front still looks great. A nice small beer garden at the rear of the pub.

On the bar 3 beers from Escape Brewery, alongside a real cider and a number of keg options. Tried 2 of their own beers, started with “Ticket to Ride”, a tasty double hopped American IPA, followed by “Erik Weisz”, their signature beer and first beer they produced commercially in 2019. A really refreshing and easy drinking Citra Pale.