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A day out by train heading out first to Retford, an attractive market town, one of the oldest English market towns having been granted its first charter in 1105. Visited 3 pubs here, starting with the “Idle Valley Tap”, before moving onto “Beer Under the Clock” and “Brew Shed”, home of Harrisons Brewery. A short train journey to Worksop, known as the “Gateway to the Dukeries” to visit “The Station Hotel”, “Fuggle’s Chapter One” and “The Mallard” who were hosting their St George’s Beer Festival. Finished off in Woodhouse with a short walk to “The Oxbow”.
Idle Valley Tap
A short 10 minute walk into Retford from the Railway Station and my first call is into the “Idle Valley Tap”. A Grade II listed building which had a former life as The Anchor Inn. A spacious and busy pub with some great artwork on the walls and comfy seating inside. A large outdoor beer garden, along with a smoking shelter decorated with pump clips. A lovely warm welcome from the team behind the bar today.
A great line up of 8 cask beers to start the day, alongside a number of keg options as well. I went with the 2 house brews, which are brewed by Worksop based Welbeck Abbey Brewery. Started with “Idle Valley Pale”, a very easy drinking session pale ale, and went onto “Idle Valley Red”, a great robust red ale, a combination of walnut and caramel flavours.
Beer Under the Clock
A short walk through Retford brings me to my second call which is to “Beer Under the Clock”. This was originally BeerHeadz but was bought by the management and renamed to its new name. A great one roomed Micropub with a small seating area at the front. Well known for its good range of beers both from the UK and Worldwide. A great warm welcome from Harriet in here. Also was great to bump into local beer drinker and a follow of my blog “Phil”. Was brilliant to meet and have a chat with you.
A fantastic line up of 5 cask beers, alongside ciders and a huge range of bottles and cans from the UK and Worldwide. I decided to go with “Two Face” from Holmfirth based Three Fiends Brewhouse. A very light and easy drinking pale ale.
Brew Shed
My last call in Retford is to “Brew Shed”. This is the taproom for Harrison’s Brewery, which is located in the yard at the rear. The pub moved to its current premises in 2018 after moving from next door. This gave more space and the pub is split over 2 floors, with the downstairs going out to a seating area at the rear with some great views along the canal from one side.
A line up of 7 cask beers on the bar, 4 of which are from Harrison’s Brewery, alongside a great keg line up to choose from. I went with one of their own beers “Best Bitter”. A delicious easy drinking Traditional English Bitter.
The Station Hotel
After a short 10 minute train journey from Retford to Worksop, my first call is located next to the Railway Station to the “The Station Hotel”. A very modern feel inside this pub split into a number of different rooms, along with a large outdoor area named “Platform 3”, comprising of an open and an undercover area. Great warm welcome from the team behind the bar in here.
A choice of 3 cask ales on the bar to choose from today. I went with one from Worksop based Welbeck Abbey Brewery. “Cavendish” was a really well balanced crisp blonde ale, lovely and refreshing and enjoyed outside in the beer garden while the sun was out.
Fuggle’s Chapter One
A walk through Worksop to the other end of town brings me to my second call here which is to “Fuggle’s Chapter One”. This opened in August 2017 by Fuggle Bunny Brew House. A unusual L shaped building with the bar in front of you when you enter. A great warm welcome from Marie and Denise behind the bar today.
A choice of 2 cask ales on the bar today, one being from Fuggle Bunny Brew House and the second from Welbeck Abbey Brewery. I went with “Chapter 9 – La La Land”. A refreshing tropical American Pale Ale, very fresh and light, a really great beer.
The Mallard
My final call in Worksop is a walk back to the Railway Station and located on the station is “The Mallard”, this occupies what was the former Station Refreshment Room, with the former entrance now being the ticket office. A really warm welcome from Wayne, Rob and Paul in here. I dropped on one of their beer festivals which they host throughout the year. This is the “St George’s Beer Festival”, hosting 20 different cask ales between the upstairs bar and the cellar bar downstairs. I have been to a number of these festivals in the past and they are always popular.
Sampled 3 different beers here from the 20 on offer. I started with “Mild Tha Know’s” from Derbyshire based Collyfobble Brewery. A really tasty and rich Mild ale. I went onto “Tinners Tipple” from Leicestershire based Golden Duck Brewery. A light and refreshing blonde ale. I finished with “Tropic Ale” from West Malling based Kent Brewery. A fruity and citrusy pale packed full of flavour.
A journey back towards Sheffield on the train from Worksop, getting off the train at Woodhouse.
The Oxbow
A short walk from the station brings me to my final call of the day which is to “The Oxbow”. This opened in January 2020 in a suburban area of Sheffield. A busy pub with a great covered outdoor seating area at the front of the pub, along with some uncovered seating. A beautifully decorated inside with a lovely cosy feeling. A warm welcome from the team behind the bar.
A choice of 3 cask ales on the bar today to choose from, along with a number of keg selections ranging in style. I started with “Discover Ossett”, which is a beer brewed by Abbeydale Brewery in collaboration with Ossett Brewery. A mash up of their most popular beers – Deception meets White Rat, a brilliant combination. I went onto “Waimea” from Clay Cross, Derbyshire based Ashover Brewery. A delicious and tasty pale ale, packed full of flavour.
Micropub Adventures 