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A local trip today over to Barnsley, best known for in the 1960s where there were 70 collieries within a 15 mile radius of the town centre. Today I visited a number of Micropubs around the town starting with “The Gawber Tap” in the Gawber Area, moving into town for “Nailmaker Tap 2” and “Jolly Tap on the Arcade”, heading out again for “Tarn End Tap” and “Heaven & Ale”, and finishing in Cudworth with “Kens Cask & Keg”. Dropped into “The Old Grocers” in Pontefract on the way home.
The Gawber Tap
Jumped on the 22a bus from Barnsley Interchange (although the 95 would get you as near), getting off at Barnsley Hospital. A short 5/6 minute walk brings me to my first calling point of the day, “The Gawber Tap”. This was converted from a former flower shop and opened in June 2023. A single roomed micropub with room for around 20 people. A great warm welcome from Sam in here today.
A choice of 3 cask ales on the bar today to choose from, alongside a number of keg options. I went with “White Rat” from Ossett Brewery. A favourite of mine. A great tasting hoppy pale ale.
Nailmaker Tap 2
A walk back down to the bus stop and boarding the 95 bus back into town (although a steady 20 minute walk if the weathers nice and all down hill). “Nailmaker Tap 2” is located near the entrance to the Gateway Plaza complex, and originally opened in April 2018 as “The Tipsy Cow”. It changed in September 2023 to its current name and owners of nearby Nailmaker Brewery in Darton. A great micropub split over 2 levels with great outdoor seating at the front. A warm welcome from Jack behind the bar today.
A great line up of beers today, being a choice of 3 Nailmaker Brewery cask ales alongside a guest ale, and a choice of keg beers also. I started with “Cardinal Sin” from Nailmaker, a delicious hoppy beer followed by “Wharfedale IPA” from Ilkley based Wharfedale Brewery. A really easy drinking, tasty IPA.
Was great chatting with Jack behind the bar and locals Adam and Brian in here and have given me some recommendations to try in future!
Jolly Tap on the Arcade
A steady 7/8 minute walk back in the direction of the Bus Station brings me to my next call of the day, “Jolly Tap on the Arcade”. This was the first Micropub in Barnsley opening in July 2016 by Two Roses Brewery in a former cake shop in the lovely Victorian Arcade and was known as “Arcade Alehouse”. It changed hands in July 2019 and is now run by Jolly Boys Brewery. A great welcome from Steph behind the bar today.
A line up of 5 cask beers from Jolly Boys Brewery on the bar today ranging in styles, along with a few keg beer options. I started with “Jolly YPA”, a very easy drinking Yorkshire pale ale, followed by “Jolly Blonde”.
Jolly Boys Brewery also have a pub on Moorthorpe Station which I visited in May 2023, check it out HERE.
Tarn End Tap
A short walk again onto the edge of the town centre brings me to my next calling point “Tarn End Tap”. This micropub opened in 2022 as Dots Tipple but has since changed ownership and changed to its current name. A former corner shop which has a couple of adjoining rooms and a very welcoming feel. A warm welcome from Beth behind the bar today.
A choice of 2 cask ales on the bar today (a light and a dark), both from Durham Brewery with a board showing what’s coming soon. A number of keg options and lots of bottled ciders to choose from. I went with “Alichino” from Durham Brewery, A beer using UK Harlequin hops, a really tasty beer.
Heaven & Ale
Another 10 minute walk out of town brings me to my final call in Barnsley town, “Heaven & Ale”. This was a former Coop which has been beautifully converted into this Micropub which opened in May 2021. Formed of three rooms downstairs with a function room upstairs. A great outdoor seating area at the front. Was great chatting to Gary and the team here, a very busy pub. The wall of pump clips showcasing the beers they have served in the micropub is amazing!
A great choice of 4 cask ales on the bar today, along with a number of keg options, 1 being a Belgian Beer, alongside a couple of ciders. I went with a couple of drinks in here, starting with “MyFather” from Louth based Munyard Brewery (a new brewery for me), a delicious traditional ale. I went onto “Broken Promise” from Shrewsbury based Salopian Brewery and finished with “Haybob” from Lancashire based Farm Yard Brew Co.
Kens Keg & Cask
My last call around the area was in Cudworth. I boarded the hourly 28 bus heading back to Pontefract, with Cudworth being around 15 minutes out of Barnsley on the bus. My visit here was to “Kens Keg & Cask”. This opened in August 2021 in a shop unit which saw a former use as a Solicitors. It is named after the owners beer loving father “Ken”. One of the walls inside is dedicated to the locally shot classic film “Kes”. The owners attended the school featured in the film. Great welcome from Ruth, Damon and Devon today.
A good choice of 3 cask ales on the bar being from Durham Brewery and Saltaire Brewery, alongside a number of keg options. I started with “Crazy Little Thing” from Durham Brewery, followed by “Blonde” from Saltaire Brewery. Both great tasting beers.
The Old Grocers
A bus journey back on the 28 to Pontefract and a quick call into “The Old Grocers” when back in Pontefract. Ive covered this previously in a blog, CLICK HERE to view it. Great welcome from Amanda tonight and a great line up of beers. I finished the day with “Wingardium Luminosa”, a collaboration beer between Brew York and Tapped Brew Co, and “Trilogy Blonde” from Stockton based Three Brothers Brewing Co.
Micropub Adventures 