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A Friday out on the tram from Nottingham to the end of the tram line at Hucknall. Starting here with The Station Inn owned and run by Lincoln Green Brewing Company, and into the town centre visiting 4 Micropubs – The Beer Shack, The Hideout, Byrons Rest and Baker & Bear. All unique in their own way serving great beer. A short hop on the tram down to Bulwell to try the Bulls Well Micropub on the way back into Nottingham. (Nottingham centre over 3 days has been covered in a separate blog post)
Hucknall has a Real Ale Guide that was published by CAMRA. Although Damo’s has closed since. CLICK HERE to have a look. Door 57 on the edge of town has opened though, check our them on Facebook HERE.
The Station Hotel
A short few minutes walk from the Tram Station (the railway station linking Nottingham to Mansfield and Worksop is located next to the Tram Station), brings me to “The Station Hotel”. A fantastic building which was built around 1892/3 and was a former home brewery pub. Lincoln Green Brewing Company took over the pub in February 2017 when it was brought back to life. It has a lounge and piano room, with railway memorabilia and old photos of the pub around the walls. Beautifully done out.
A fantastic selection of 11 cask ales alongside a number of keg options. This includes their own beers alongside a number of guests, spread over 2 bars. I went with 2 beers from Lincoln Green Brewery, starting with “Hood”, a traditional style English Bitter, followed by “Marion”, a hoppy pale ale, easy drinking and very tasty.
Beer Shack
A short 8 minute walk to the back end of town brings me to my first Micropub of the day “Beer Shack”. This former shop opened as a Micropub in August 2013. I have visited this in both 2014 and 2017, its new owners since my last visit were friendly and welcoming. A pub which promotes conversation and has a great community feel to it. Inside there are 2 old pub signs from closed pubs in Hucknall – Flying Bedstead and Harrier.
A selection of 5 cask ales on the bar, with a huge range of ciders in boxes behind the bar, and an even bigger can and bottle selection to drink in or takeaway. Something for everyone. I went with “Tobi’s Tipple”, from Norfolk based Moon Gazer Brewery. A tasty, fruity English Bitter.
The Hideout
Another short 5 minute walk brings me to “The Hideout”. This was previously a shop which opened in November 2018, formerly as the Dog House and more recently The Hideout. Split on 2 floors with the downstairs being a snug with log burner. A really smart and modern feel to this pub and great seating at the window to watch the world go by.
3 cask ales on the bar along with some keg beers alongside these. You can see the cellar on the wall at the end of the bar. Looks really good like this, I went with “Imperial Pale Ale” from Newark based Milestone Brewery. A really easy drinking, refreshing pale ale.
Byrons Rest
A couple of minutes walk brings me to “Byrons Rest”, a former sewing shop that opened as a Micropub in February 2018, with a small snug being added in 2019. A really quirky rustic feel to this pub with lots of areas to explore including a secret garden at the rear of the pub, with undercover and open seating areas. Described as a tranquil oasis in the heart of Hucknall.
Unsurprisingly this pub won 2023 Cider pub of the year from Nottingham CAMRA, when you see the cider wall you will see why.
6 cask beers on the bar to choose from with 25+ ciders and a selection of cans. I went with their house beer brewed by Magpie Brewery. “Byrons Best Bitter”, a great tasting English Bitter, a bitter as it should be, easy drinking and tasty.
Baker & Bear
My last call in Hucknall is to “Baker & Bear”. This micropub was formerly a gym and sits on the site of the No 1 Co-Op in Hucknall. The pub has a great industrial décor with wood floors and the original beams and supports from the 1874 building.
3 cask ales available on the bar here, alongside a wide range of keg options to choose from. I went with “Harvest Pale” from Castle Rock Brewery. A multi award winning citrusy pale ale, refreshing and easy drinking.
A short tram journey from Hucknall heading to Bulwell, only around a 7 minute journey.
The Bulls Well
My call in Bulwell is to “The Bulls Well”, a short 5 minute walk from Bulwell Tram/Train Station. This Micropub opened in October 2017 and was the first one in Bulwell. A lovely warm welcome on entering this Micropub. An interesting quirky look both inside and out with seating include old church pews and cinema seats. A small outdoor area at the front both undercover and open.
3 cask bars, a real cider and a number of keg choices on the bar. The beers all being from a local brewery. I went with “Cinematic Pale” from Newark based Beermats Brewing Co. A tasty citrus pale ale with added tropical notes. Lovely easy drinking beer.
Micropub Adventures 