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Mold – A Visit to Two Micropubs
I headed over from Chester on the T8 bus for an afternoon exploring Mold in Flintshire. My plan was to visit two independent beer spots in the centre of town, starting at the award-winning Mold Alehouse before moving on to The Beer Lab. Both offered a good choice of cask and keg beers, and I had some lovely conversations along the way.
Mold has a long history as a market town. A Norman castle stood on Bailey Hill by the early 12th century, and a town grew below it during the medieval period. Markets have been an important part of Mold’s life for centuries, with Wednesday trading recorded from at least 1732 and Saturday markets following later. The old streets, town hall and market squares still give the centre plenty of character, making it a nice place to explore between pub visits.
Who I Met
I received a really warm welcome from Gareth at Mold Alehouse and Tracey at The Beer Lab. It was lovely chatting to people who know their beer and enjoy sharing it with visitors. Those friendly welcomes were a big part of what made the afternoon so enjoyable.
Mold
Mold Alehouse
My first stop after the bus journey was Mold Alehouse on Earl Road. It occupies part of Earl Chambers, a Grade II-listed building opposite the town hall. The building dates from around 1910 and was designed by local architect F. A. Roberts, with its brick frontage and stone details giving it plenty of character. The micropub opened in 2016 and went on to win CAMRA’s Wales Pub of the Year award in 2022, so I was looking forward to calling in.
Inside, Mold Alehouse is a compact, traditional-looking single room with tall windows, wooden tables and warm lighting. It has the comfortable, welcoming feel you hope to find in a micropub, with plenty of opportunity for a chat over a pint. Gareth gave me a lovely welcome when I arrived, and it was easy to see why the place had built up such a good reputation.
There was a good range of cask and keg beers from breweries both near and far. I started with Crux from Thornbridge Brewery in Derbyshire, a fruity, hazy session IPA with plenty of hop character. I followed that with Pale Sail Ale from Jolly Sailor Brewery in Selby, another enjoyable pale ale with hoppy, citrus flavours. Two cracking choices to get the afternoon going.
The Beer Lab
My next visit was to The Beer Lab on Daniel Owen Square. It opened in December 2023 as the second venue from the team behind The Beer Lab in Heswall on the Wirral, so it was still fairly new when I called in. The bar looks out onto the square, with covered seating outside, and I received another lovely welcome, this time from Tracey.
The Beer Lab feels more open and spacious inside, with one large room and a relaxed seating area. Tables are spread around the space, giving you room to sit back and enjoy a drink, while the covered seats at the front offer a good spot overlooking Daniel Owen Square. It’s quite different from the more compact Mold Alehouse, but just as comfortable for stopping off during an afternoon around town.
On my visit, the choice included three cask ales, six keg beers and a good selection of ciders, with several local breweries represented. I went for Sunrise from Hafod Brewery, based right here in Mold. It was a lovely smooth, single-hopped pale ale and a fitting choice for my second stop in town.
A Lovely Afternoon in Mold
Mold was well worth the trip from Chester. Both places offered something a little different, from the cosy surroundings and award-winning history of Mold Alehouse to the more spacious setting of The Beer Lab. With some good beers, friendly people and an interesting market town to explore, it made for a very enjoyable afternoon.
Useful Links
Mold Market – Flintshire Council
The beers and selections mentioned above are from my visit on 22 August 2024.
