23/03/24 – Rawtenstall and Burnley

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My day today takes me to Rawtenstall and Burnley. Meeting up with both “Bearded Biker on Beer” and Sean and Ruth from “Brid’s Cross Brewing”, and Kinsey joining us later on. After a train journey to Burnley Manchester a short bus ride to Rawtenstall, at the centre of the Rossendale Valley. Visiting 5 awesome Micropubs, Craft Bars and Brewery Taps in this town before heading slightly out to nearby Waterfoot to visit “Whitewell”. From here I took the short bus journey back into Burnley which was famous for its Mill-Engines and the Burnley Loom was recognised as one of the best in the world. Here I visited another 4 brilliant Micropubs and Craft Bars.

Hop Micropub

A 30 minute journey on the X43 from Burnley Bus Station to Rawtenstall Bus Station. My first call here is to the “Hop Micropub”. A small Micropub which first opened its doors in December 2016. A great warm welcome here from Michelle and Andy behind the bar and a really popular pub. A room upon entering containing the bar and a small seating area, alongside a quieter room upstairs and a large outdoor seating area downstairs.

A great lineup here of 5 cask beers alongside a choice of 6 keg beers to choose from. I started with their house beer “Hop Ale” brewed by Deeply Vale Brewery in nearby Bury, a delicious traditional English Bitter. A beer change happened so went onto “Abbey Blonde” from Flintshire based Facers Brewery. A lovely hoppy and light blonde ale. Great to be able to see the cellar downstairs as-well with glass windows.

Northern Whisper Tap Room

A short walk towards Rawtenstall Market brings me to my second call of the day which was to the “Northern Whisper Tap Room”. A pub with a great industrial feel to it from the moment you enter, the seating and bar areas and the toilets. Food is allowed to be brought in from the market next door and looked delicious from what other customers were bringing in.

A great line up of 6 cask ales from Northern Whisper Brewery along with 9 keg lines and a number of cider choices. Lots of choice here. I went with “Shake a Leg”, a delicious Milkshake IPA with the classic childhood flavours of Rhubarb and Custard.

Casked

A short walk heading in the direction of the railway station brings me to my next calling point which is to “Casked”. A micropub which opened in December 2017 by Mike and Amanda. A really warm welcome for us all today from both of them. Upon entering a large one roomed bar with varied styles of seating around the pub.

A great choice of 5 cask beers and 8 keg beers on, ranging from local to further afield breweries. I started with “Wowzies in the Trousers” from Manchester based Big Trip Brewery. A tasty triple hopped hazy pale ale. I went onto their house beer “Casked”, brewed by Burnley based Reedley Hallows Brewery Co. A great traditional English Bitter.

Buffer Stops

Another short walk down the road brings me to the terminus of the East Lancashire Railway at Rawtenstall. The line runs all the way to Heywood. The East Lancashire Railway opened as a preserved railway back in 1987. The “Buffer Stops” bar is on the platform, and has seating both inside as well as outside on the platform. A great place to watch preserved steam and diesel trains arriving and departing.

A great choice of 8 cask beers on the bar here from a wide range of breweries and ranging in styles. I went for a beer from a new brewery for me in here, “LB 102 – Bitter” from Lancaster based Lunebrew, deliciously hopped with Northdown and Jester hops. Really easy drinking beer.

Jackson’s Bar

Last call in Rawtenstall is to “Jackson’s Bar”, a great café bar which opened just before the Lockdown in 2020. A great friendly vibe in here and a very wam welcome. A great layout spread out with comfy seating. Kinsey joined us from here for the rest of the day.

A choice of 2 cask ales on the bar here, alongside a number of keg options. I went with “Hen Harrier” from Clitheroe based Bowland Brewery. A refreshing light blonde ale.

The Whitewell

Either a bus (464) from Rawtenstall to Waterfoot (8 minutes), or a lift from Ruth and Sean, brings me to my next calling point “The Whitewell”. A great Micropub which opened in the summer of 2023 and acts as the brewery tap for Rochdale based Serious Brewing Company. A great relaxing feel upon entering here and a great warm friendly welcome from Jen.

3 beers on here from their own brewery alongside a guest from Deeply Vale Brewery. I started with “Prime Series – Challenger”, a great single hopped pale ale packed full of flavour. I went onto “Prime2 Series – Amarillo and Cascade”, a tasty dual hopped pale ale.

A mouthwatering range of home cooked food is available here as-well including home made pizzas, local pork pies and my choice of local steak pie with mash, mushy peas and gravy. A delicious tasty pie!

The Bridge Bier Huis

A 30 minute journey back from Waterfoot to Burnley on the 483 bus and a 5 minute walk to my first of 4 venues in Burnley, “The Bridge Bier Huis”. A fantastic looking building from the outside and a large open plan bar upon entering with a cosy log burner and a small snug to one side. A really popular pub.

Lots and lots of choice on the bar here, starting with a line up of 5 cask beers, a number of keg and cider options and a range of over 60 foreign bottled beers to choose from. I went with “Red Kite” from Buckinghamshire based Vale Brewery Co. A delicious chestnut bitter, really tasty.

The Circ

A short walk brings me to my second call here which is to “The Circ”. This is one of 3 venues owned by the same company along this road with all 3 being described as “eclectic venues”. The Circ is so quirky and describes itself as an Aladdin’s cave of retro memorabilia. From posters, ceiling decorations, bus seats, airplane seats and much more, every corner you turn there is something different.

A choice of 2 cask beers on the bar today, both from Lancashire breweries (Moorhouse and Reedley Hallows). I went with “Ask Twice”, from Burnley based Moorhouse’s Brewery. Another great tasting and easy drinking English Bitter. Great to see the casks in a window next to the bar showing where they are dispensed from as well.

The New Brew-M

My last 2 calls in Burnley are over the road from each other, the first being “New Brew-M”. This acts as the “Reedley Hallows Brewery” Tap. The bar itself used to be located on the opposite side of the road, but relocated in September 2018 to new premises which also has an upstairs area. A really popular bar again here which is great to see.

A selection of 5 cask beers on the bar, 3 from their own Reedley Hallows Brewery alongside 2 guests from Skipton based Copper Dragon Brewery. A third bitter in a row for me choosing to go with “Old Laund Bitter”. Another great tasting bitter with lots of flavour.

Hatters Bar

Over the road to my last call which is to “Hatters Bar”, this is in the premises which used to be occupied by New Brew-M before they moved over the road. A great busy pub with the bar located at the rear of the room upon entering. This is the most recent opening, only opening in December 2023. Was great meeting owners Joe and Sarah behind the bar.

On the bar were two cask ales alongside a keg t-bar with a choice of 5 on alongside other choices of lagers and ciders. I went with “Top Dog” from Nelson based Oscar’s Brewery. A very easy drinking and light pale ale brewed with Citra Hops. I then went onto “Iron Brew” from Vault City. A lovely tart version of the Scottish drink.

A short 10 minute walk uphill back to Burnley Manchester Road station to catch my train home. Enjoyed a can of “Bolster’s Blood” from Brids Cross Brewing. A really delicious Red IPA with flavours of toffee and marmalade, lots of great flavours in here.