02/03/24 – Middlesbrough and Redcar

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A day out booked with the Transpennine Rail Sale up to Middlesbrough and Redcar costing £1 each way. Started off heading out to Great Ayton, a picturesque village overlooking the Roseberry Topping mountain, visited “The Royal Oak” and “The Tannery” here. Headed back into Middlesbrough, well known for its Steel and Chemical industry. Visited 3 Micropubs here to start with, “Bottled Note”, “Twisted Lip” and “Infant Hercules”, before heading to the edge of town to visit “Play Brew Co” and “Chapel”. Last call of the day was to Redcar, visiting “The Cleveland”, home of Redscar Brewery and finishing with 2 micropubs, “Ritas Pantry” and “Gypsy Rover”.

The Royal Oak Hotel

Headed out on the 28a bus from Middlesbrough to Great Ayton (an hourly bus heading to Stokesley). My first call here was to “The Royal Oak Hotel”. Located on the High Street, this is an 18th Century Grade II Listed former coaching inn. 2 entrances, one to the public bar and the other to the rest of the pub.

A choice of 3 cask beers on the bar today. “Landlord” from Timothy Taylor, “Wainwright Gold” and Theakston’s “Old Peculiar”. I went with the “Old Peculiar” from Masham based Theakston Brewery. A delicious strong dark beer.

The Tannery

A short walk off the High Street brings me to my next call which was to “The Tannery”, located in The Arcade which is accessed through an archway. This Micropub opened in November 2018 in what was formerly a hairdressers. A really warm welcome here from Jo and a number of regulars and such a friendly atmosphere.

A great line up of beers in here with a choice of 3 cask beers and 4 keg beers to choose from, alongside a selection of cans and bottles. I started with “Howardian Gold” from Helmsley Brewing Co, a delicious Golden Ale. Then went onto “Velocity” from Battersea based Distortion Brewing. A double dry hopped pale ale.

The Bottled Note

Back into Middlesbrough next, and my first call here was to “The Bottled Note”. This opened in December 2016 and is located in a double fronted Victorian terrace house. The left side is the Micropub, with the other side opening as a cocktail and wine bar later in the day. Another great warm welcome in here. Beer garden at the front and back of the pub.

A great selection of beers on the bar, with a choice of 3 cask ales, alongside a number of keg and bottle/can options. I went with “Slip Away” from Leyburn based Wensleydale Brewery. A delicious easy drinking Golden Ale brewed with 2 hops.

The Twisted Lip

A short walk to the next road along, Baker Street to visit “The Twisted Lip”. This Micropub opened in May 2014 and is in a traditional two up two down terraced house. A great entrance with a double staircase in front where the houses used to be split, each going in different directions. A great feel with different rooms all well decorated.

A great line up of beers on the bar here. 3 cask ales alongside a number of keg beers and a great selection of bottles and cans. I went with “Fruit Salad Pale” from local Stockton based Three Brothers Brewing. A very easy drinking light pale ale with flavours of the classic “Fruit Salad” sweet. Really enjoyed this beer.

The Infant Hercules

Another short walk onto Grange Road brings me to “The Infant Hercules”. This Micropub opened in March 2015 in what was known as the Solicitors Quarter in Middlesbrough. The name comes from Gladstones description of Middlesbrough. “In 1862, Chancellor William Gladstone christened Middlesbrough ‘The Infant Hercules’. Our boom was based on industry and the migration it attracted. Middlesbrough became a global industrial giant thanks to the extension of the Stockton and Darlington Railway”.

A great selection of 4 cask ales on the bar, alongside a number of keg options. A new brewery for me “George Samuel Brewery” based in Shildon, Darlington. A lot of their beers have railway related names, the one on the bar here being called “Snowplough”, a delicious and tasty American Wheat Beer.

Play Brew Co

A walk out of town to the Cannon Park Industrial Estate to visit “Play Brew Co”. This brewery was started in 2016 with the taproom opening in November 2019. A great large space which incorporates both the brewery and the taproom in one large space. Great to be able to sit with the brewery setup next to you.

A great line up of 12 keg lines ranging massively in styles and strengths. Alongside there is a fridge packed full of cans of their own beers to drink in or takeaway. I went with a sour beer “Lime Zest & Mint Mojito Sour”, a palate refreshing sour, really tart and packed full of flavour.

Chapel @ Whitehouse Street

Another walk out of town (around 25 minutes from the Railway Station) brings me to “Chapel @ Whitehouse Street”. A fantastic conversion from a Primitive Methodist Mission Hall dating from 1890, which is located next to the former  St. Cuthbert’s Church. It has been completely renovated and upon walking it its such a great light and airey feel to the place. The main chapel room houses the bar along with a large seating area, with a large hall behind which can house large groups and events. Was great talking to Russ at the bar (and thanks for the Curry it was delicious).

A fantastic line up of beers, both cask and keg. 6 cask ales from breweries both local and further afield, alongside 10 keg beers and a selection of ciders. Tried a few beers here, starting with “Love Monkey” from Somerton based Glastonbury Ales. Followed by 2 sour beers, “First Viewing” from Mold based Polly’s Brew Co, and “Sound of Joy” from Leeds based North Brewing. Had to try an unusual sounding ale on the bar from Brass Castle called “Blue in the Face”, a blueberry, vanilla and white chocolate muffin dessert pale.

A 25 minute walk back to Middlesbrough Railway Station to get the train from here to Redcar Central (a short 10 minute journey).

The Cleveland Hotel

My first call in Redcar was to “The Cleveland Hotel”, a short 10 minute walk from the Railway Station. This pub comprises of a bar and a lounge which both have separate entrances from the street. This is the home of Redscar Brewery who started brewing in 2008. The brewing takes place in a unit at the rear of the pub.

3 cask ales on the bar all from the on site brewery. I tried all 3, starting with “Sands”, a delicious light hoppy golden beer. I followed with “Beach”, a traditional English Bitter and finished with “Poison”, a delicious great tasting dark ale.

Rita’s Pantry

A short 8 minute walk along the seafront brings me to my second call in Redcar to “Rita’s Pantry”, this opened in November 2015 and was the first Micropub in Redcar being converted from a former Amusement Arcade. It is situated opposite Redcar’s Beacon, and where sometimes the Petrified Forest can be seen from, occasionally rough seas scour the sand away and then you see this at low tide along the beach. The Micropub feels like walking into your own living room with the layout and seating.

2 cask beers on the bar here, alongside a number of keg and can/bottle choices. I went with a beer from Brew York “Diana Voss”, a very tasty easy drinking Pale Ale. It was great to meet up with locals Ian and Adele in here who have been following my adventures. Thanks for the catch up!

The Gypsy Rover

My final call in Redcar is to “The Gypsy Rover”, the nearest of the 3 to the railway station. This opened in December 2015 and was converted from a former Insurance Company Office. A really busy one roomed pub and a great atmosphere and great chatting to Jackie and Helen behind the bar.

2 cask ales on the bar today alongside a number of keg beer selections. Tried both beers here, the first being “Pang Wangle” from Durham Brewery. A delicious session pale ale packed full of flavour. I went onto “Double Maxim” from Maxim Brewery based in Houghton-le-Spring in County Durham. Named as such as Maxim Ale was introduced in 1901, and was increased in strength in 1938 and became “Double Maxim”.