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An attempt today to do a “Three Counties Rail Ale Trail”, covering Cheshire, Derbyshire and Greater Manchester. A return ticket to New Mills (2 stations here) from the Manchester direction was my ticket for the day. Started out at Disley visiting “Malt Disley”, a short train journey to New Mills Newtown and a few minutes walk to “Torrside Brewing”. Headed into New Mills visiting “Torr Vale Tap”, “The Cheese Wheel” and “Beer Shed”. Next was onto Marple visiting “The Samuel Oldknow”, “Bevi”, “Dig Inn” and “Traders”. Romiley next to drop into “Hop Haus” and “The Crafty Vendor”, before (for completion) to Bredbury to visit “The Steelworks”.
Disley
My first call of the day is to Disley in Cheshire (County Number 1). It is located on the edge of the Peak District in the Goyt Valley.
The Malt Disley
My call here is to “The Malt Disley”, this Micropub opened in 2017 having formerly being a shop. A really nicely done out Micropub with cosy seating on two levels (the lower level converts into a games room). A couple of tables outside at the front of the pub also. Opens earlier for Coffee, serving alcohol from noon. A great warm welcome here from behind the bar.
A line up of 4 cask beers on the bar today, alongside a wide range of keg beers ranging in styles. I went with “Five Card Draw” from Malton, North Yorkshire based Brass Castle Brewery. A great tasting American style classic IPA showcasing 5 different hops.
A short walk from The Malt Disley back to Disley Railway Station to catch a train to New Mills Newtown.
New Mills
My next call is New Mills (County Number 2 – Derbyshire). New Mills was known for coal mining, then cotton spinning, bleaching and calico printing. Having a great transport link with the Peak Forest Canal, 3 Railway Lines and the A6 Road. The mills were bought in the 20th Century by Swizzels Matlow (sweet manufacturer).
Torrside Brewing Taproom
A short walk from New Mills Newtown Railway Station brings me to “Torrside Brewing Taproom”. The brewery was formed in 2015 based at the Marina. Their motto “Hop, Smoke, Monsters” ringing through with their great beer selection and their love of Smoked Beers, well balanced hop-bombs and imperial monsters. A fantastic warm welcome here today from Barney, Nick, Sarah and Chris. The taproom opens usually the last weekend of the month but check before visiting. Food offering from Epic Pizza today.
A quick tour around the brewery setup was great and was great to hear a bit more about the different styles of beers that they produce. Lots of different wooden barrels with beer in them ageing around the brewery, some having been in for over 5 years.
Went with a few different beers here, first going with “Pint Sized”, a delicious easy drinking pale ale. I went onto “UK Chinook”, a lovely light and hoppy pale ale. I finished with a stronger beer (which was available in both cask and keg for those who wanted to compare the two), “I’m Spartacus”, a Simcoe hopped unfined and unfiltered pale ale, packed full of flavour.
A short 12 minute walk from here brings me into New Mills itself.
Torr Vale Tap
My next call is the “Torr Vale Tap”, located in a Grade II listed former industrial cotton mill which is located on the banks of the River Goyt. It was built in the 1780’s by Daniel Strafford and was originally known as Strafford’s Mill, and is located at the bottom of a 40m sandstone gorge known as The Torrs. The location is stunning, and has been restored back to its former glory. The Torr Vale Tap is a venue that offers drinks, food, wedding venue and lots more. The views from the beer garden are amazing, overlooking the River Goyt. A great warm welcome from behind the bar today. (Some of the views are from the top).
A choice of 1 cask beer, alongside a range of 6 keg beers, including a number from local Torrside Brewery. I went with “Pace Setter”, a very light and easy drinking session beer, classed as a Table Beer. Enjoyed this sat overlooking the River Goyt and the stunning scenery.
The Cheese Wheel
Located directly opposite is “The Cheese Wheel”. A lovely small shop selling a variety of Cheese, Wine, Beer and much more, including a selection of bottles from Torrside Brewing. Really nice place and a very warm welcome. Picked myself up some delicious cheese to enjoy when I got home.
Beer Shed
A short uphill walk to New Mills High Street to visit “Beer Shed”. A small narrow Micropub which opened in November 2016, converted from a former shop. Set over 2 levels, the bottom level having a small seating area, and a small outdoor area at the rear. It was taken over by Torrside Brewing in August 2023 but decided to keep as it was.
3 cask ales, 1 cider and a range of keg beers varying in styles to choose from in here. I went with another beer from local Torrside Brewing, “All of the Klaxons”, a delicious refreshing pale ale using Simcoe Hops.
A short walk back to New Mills Central Railway Station to catch the train to nearby Marple.
Marple
Onto Marple next, well known for its series of 16 canal locks, known as Marple Lock Flight. County Number 3 for the day – Greater Manchester.
The Samuel Oldknow
My first call here was a 15 minute walk from Marple Railway Station and was to “The Samuel Oldknow”. This is named after the local businessman and mill owner who was responsible for the development of Marple from 1787. It opened just before Easter 2016 in what was a former shop unit. Set over 2 floors with a nice seating area outside at the front. A nice warm welcome from behind the bar here today.
A line up of 6 cask beers and 6 keg beers, alongside a wide selection of ciders served from a fridge behind the bar. I went with “For Pete’s Sake” from Bolton based Northern Monkey brew Co. A delicious juicy session pale ale hopped with Citra Hops.
Bevi
Located directly next door is “Bevi”, which opened in 2020 in a former paper shop. A nice seating area outside at the front with a drinking/seating area in front of the bar and a further raised area at the back. A great modern relaxing design inside and felt lovely and airey. A nice warm welcome behind the bar again in here.
A line up of 4 cask beers, alongside other keg selections in Bevi. I went with a beer from Clitheroe based Bowland Brewery. “Bowland Gold”, a really hoppy golden beer, very light and very easy drinking. Enjoyed sat outside at the front in the warm weather.
Dig Inn
A short walk off the High Street brings me to “Dig Inn”. A fantastic looking front to the bar which acts as a café, bar, gift shop and record shop with the slogan “Hops, Crops and Records”. Beautifully done out inside with a small rear beer garden as well. Lovely warm welcome as soon as I walked in.
A choice of 8 different keg lines ranging in styles and strengths. I went with a beer from Mold, Flintshire based Polly’s Brew Co. “Blue Roses” is a delicious small pale ale, packed full of flavour and lovely and refreshing.
Traders
My last call in Marple is just over the road to “Traders”, formerly known as Beer Traders. This opened in December 2014 in a former shop unit. It has been extended since to incorporate another shop. A great industrial feel inside split into a couple of separate rooms, alongside a covered seating area outside at the front. Warm welcome when I entered here.
A line up of 3 cask beers as well as a large choice of keg beers served from the back bar. My first sour beer of the day in here from Edinburgh based Vault City Brewing. “Capri Crush”, a session sour for summer with flavours of lemon, blood orange and guava. Very refreshing.
A 15 minute walk back to Marple Railway Station to get the train to Romiley. You can always get the train from Rose Hill Marple Railway Station also, which is a bit nearer.
Romiley
Onto Romiley next, a lovely small village known for Elder Mill which was a Cotton Spinning Mill that was taken over by the Lancashire Cotton Corporation in the 1930.
Hop Haus
My first of 2 calls here was to the “Hop Haus” formerly known as Jake’s Ale House. This opened in 2017. A great pub with a warm welcome on entry. Lovely outdoor seating area to the front with seating in the bar area, and further seating at the back of the pub. A great airey light feel to this pub and was great chatting to the team today.
A choice of 5 cask ales on the bar ranging in styles alongside 7 keg lines to choose from. I went with “Columbus” from Kent based Wantsum Brewery. A very easy drinking and refreshing single hopped pale ale.
The Crafty Vendor
My second call in Romiley is over the road to “The Crafty Vendor”. A fantastic modern bar advertised as having an “extensive range of craft ales, spirits and fine wines are sure to wet the appetite of all our customers.”. A lovely light and airey bar, which includes an original bank vault/safe on the way to the outdoor seating area at the rear (alongside one at the front).
A great line up of keg beers, alongside lots of other drink selections to choose from. I went with “Beyond the Tower” from London based East London Brewing Company. An interestingly named beer as in the 1720s East London was known as “The Part Beyond the Tower”. This is a delicious hazy pale ale using 3 different hops. Very tasty.
Bredbury
This next call I did not do in person (I will be going back to visit) but for completion of the Rail Ale Trail I have included it. Bredbury is known locally as “The Bra” or “Bredbra” due to its once flourishing lingerie factory.
The Steel Works
A new Micropub in Bredbury which opened in 2024, “The Steel Works”, located in a former pharmacy in a small row of shops. A nod back to Bredbury Steelworks which closed in 1984 with decorations around the pub being linked back to this, alongside an information sign with some history about Bredbury Steelworks.
4 cask lines, alongside 8 keg lines and a range of ciders to choose from. Looks like a great selection from the photos and cant wait to visit a try a beer myself soon.
Micropub Adventures 
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