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Exploring the Best Breweries and Pubs on the Fylde Coast
Check out the Fylde Coast Ale Trail
The three-day exploration of the Fylde Coast included visits to various breweries, micropubs, and pubs in locations such as Cleveleys, Blackpool, and Lytham. Highlighted establishments featured diverse selections of cask and keg beers, showcasing unique flavours and atmospheres.
The Shipwreck Brewhouse
My first visit was a short journey on the tram to Cleveleys, starting here in The Shipwreck Brewhouse Cleveleys. This sophisticated micropub that doubles as a cafe bar is located on Cleveleys main shopping street and commenced operations in May 2020. Patrons can enjoy seating options outside at the front, inside, as well as in various smaller rooms towards the back. Additionally, there is outdoor seating available in a quaint garden area at the rear. The establishment also offers a menu that includes full English breakfast and lunch.
Offers a choice of 5 cask ales, and a selection of keg beers and lagers. Includes some of their own cask beers “Mythic Coast” range that are brewed in Poulton-le-Fylde. My choice was “Sea Swallow”, one of their own beers, a tasty, easy drinking and refreshing blonde ale.
Backstage Cleveleys
Next was onto Backstage Cleveleys. “Backstage” made its debut in October of 2023, transforming a former cycle shop into a “Rock N Roll” themed bar located on a street corner. The interior is meticulously designed, showcasing innovative features such as light fittings crafted from drums, similar to their other establishment. Additionally, the bar hosts various live music events on a regular basis.
Offers a great selection of 3 cask beers, and a full wall of keg lines to choose from. I commenced my tasting experience with a sour beer produced by Tiny Rebel Brewing Co., located in Newport, Wales, known as “BeetL Juice,” which is characterized by its green hue and watermelon flavour profile. Following this, I sampled “Berliner” from 52 Degrees Brewing, a new brewery for me from Walsall. This pale ale is light and refreshing, featuring herbal and peppery notes in its aroma.
Wobblinn
My last call in Cleveleys was to Wobblinn, which opened on Friday, May 3rd, 2024, is owned by Jeff and Julie, formerly of The Weavers in Kidderminster. This wonderful Micropub consists of just one room, with a lovely seating area located outside at the front. The room inside being very traditional looking with a unique mix of different chairs and tables, and the walls being covered in various beer and music memorabilia and signs adding a great atmosphere to the place.
Offers a great selection of 6 cask beers, and a large selection of ciders! My selection of beer for today commenced with “Jubilee Ale,” produced by Bewdley Brewery located in Worcestershire. This pale ale is characterized by its citrus and fruity notes. Subsequently, I chose “Best Bitter” from Bathams Brewery in Birmingham. It is regarded as a prime example of the traditional Black Country style of bitter, offering a rich flavour profile and a smooth drinking experience.
Albatross
A short bus journey from Cleveleys brought me to Thornton, and my first visit to Albatross Bar & Food. Was great to meet new owners Mark and Georgia in here and was awesome chatting to them. “Albatross” was established in April 2019 at the heart of the Thornton Shopping Area. It looks small from the front but is described as a Tardis with lots of seating after the bar, in addition to outdoor seating at the front.
Whilst here I got to try their new bar snack offering of a cask ale and a pork pie (and yes its locally sourced!!) for £6 which is a great deal and the pork pie was absolutely delicious!
They offer a choice of 2 cask beers on the bar, alongside a range of keg options. I chose “Swan Gold” from Bowness Bay Brewing, located in Kendal. This delightful golden ale features a beautiful hue, is rich in flavour, and boasts an excellent aroma.
CASK – Layton
Next was a bus ride from Thornton heading into Blackpool, getting off at Layton. CASK Micropub – Layton is the sister establishment of CASK Bispham, with this one opening first. It opened in November 2019 and is a splendid one-roomed Micropub that offers outdoor seating at the front and a covered seating area at the back. Inside is a fantastic, cosy and welcoming seating area, with the bar located in the corner.
A fantastic choice of drinks to choose from including 4 cask ales and a range of ciders and keg beers which includes 2 Bavarian Lagers. Today, I selected “Brew Net,” a blonde ale produced by Craven Brew Co., located in Keighley. This beverage is characterized by its lightness, refreshing qualities, and rich flavour profile.
Shickers Tavern
I headed back into Blackpool on the bus from Layton, a short journey. Here I visited Shickers Tavern , which was established in January 2024, serves as the sibling establishment to the Shickers Micropub situated close to Blackpool South Railway Station. The term “Shicker” is derived from Yiddish and translates to “drunk”. This cosy one-room pub is tastefully adorned, exuding a warm and inviting atmosphere. Visitors can expect a hospitable reception and it appears to be gaining popularity.
A fantastic choice of drinks to choose from including 3 cask ales and a range of ciders and keg beers. Today, I opted for “Cunning Stunt,” a Traditional Bitter produced by Fuzzy Duck Brewery, located in Poulton-le-Fylde. This delightful amber-hued beer is crafted with Willamette and Bramling Cross hops.
Rhythm & Brew Room
My last call on the first evening was to 1887 The Brew Room now known as “Rhythm & Brews”. This is the proud home of “Pool Brewing”, having previously being West Coast Rock Brewery. Expect a number of their own beers on at the bar. This establishment holds great historical significance, being the birthplace of the Blackpool Football Club. After undergoing renovations, it reopened its doors in December of 2017. The interior boasts a spacious layout divided into various sections, providing a unique ambiance for patrons, with a variety of seating options and some great window seating to watch the world go by. Live music performances are a regular feature, with further information available on their Facebook page.
This evening a tap takeover from Manchester based Cloudwater Brew Co featuring a number of tasty and delicious beers on both cask and keg. A fantastic choice of drinks to choose from including up to 8 cask ales and a large range of ciders and keg beers. This evening, I enjoyed several beers from Cloudwater Brew Co, including “Pineapple & Lime Breeze,” which is an excellent tart sour. I also sampled “Fuzzy,” a delightful hoppy New England hazy pale ale. Additionally, I had “Epistrophe,” a light and easy-drinking session New England hazy pale ale, and concluded with “Drone,” a hoppy pale ale crafted with Sabro, Loral, and Simcoe hops.
Silent Mill Brew Co
Saturday started off in Lytham, along with Alistair from Blackpool, Fylde & Wyre CAMRA Official to visit Silent Mill Brew Co. We met up with husband and wife team Paul and Adele for a look around the brewery which has only been going a few months, and spoke to them about why they started and their inspiration for their beers, coming from their travels around the West Coast of America, Japan and New Zealand. The beers themselves all being unfined.
We sampled 5 of their cans…..
*West Down Ventura*- Mexican Lager with delicious lime notes.
*Pale Heart* – a delicious easy drinking and refreshing pale ale.
*vectron7* – a fabulous hazy pale ale tripled hopped with Nectaron, Citra and Idaho 7
*hello, world* – their first beer, a crisp citrusy pilsner using Motueka hops.
*Golden Axe* – a refreshing pale ale hopped with Citra and El Dorado.
Jimbrew Brewing
I headed out next to Clifton (which can be got to by getting on the 68 bus from Lytham towards Preston). Here I visited Jimbrew Brewing. Here I met up with owner Jim and wife Jennifer to have a look around their setup. He first started brewing in December 2022 and brews exclusively Gluten Free beers, being Gluten Intolerant himself. A lot of breweries offering Gluten Free beers, filter the gluten out but here they dont use any to start with, no barley and no wheat.
Upstairs is where the bar is located, a large sized room with a lovely cosy and comfortable feel to it, containing benches and some sofa seats. The bar top was the wood from the original stairs, covered in symbols scratched in by the farmers to ward off evil spirits. On the bar were 6 different beers to choose from, choosing to go with “Cryo”, a delicious 6% IPA and “Dont Impreston Me Much”, a maple and blueberry sour.
Downstairs houses the brewery which is a great setup and allows brewing for the taproom and JB Social, which I visited later. They open their taproom on a Friday evening at present and have some amazing sounding Indian streetfood from Monu’s kitchen .
Tap N Drum
My next calls are in Freckleton, a short bus journey from Clifton (or a short taxi journey). My first call here is to TAP n’ DRUM. I initially visited this Micropub several years ago when it operated as The Vestry Taproom, which was inaugurated in 2019 and served as a sister Micropub to one located in Tarleton, Preston. In November 2022, it underwent a change in ownership and was subsequently renamed Tap N Drum.
The Micropub features a charming and intimate seating area, with a bar situated in one corner. Along the left side, there are wall-mounted tables for standing or sitting on stools. The space exudes a delightful industrial ambience, highlighted by the large overhead lights above the bar and seating area, complemented by fairy lights that enhance the cosy atmosphere. Additionally, there is a generously sized covered outdoor seating area at the front, ideal for enjoying warm summer days.
The bar features a variety of three cask ales, complemented by several keg beers and an assortment of bottled ciders with diverse flavours. Today, I selected “Juice Machine” from Knutsford’s MBH (Mobberley Brewhouse). This delightful tropical pale ale offers an array of appealing aromas and is remarkably light and easy to enjoy.
JB Social
My next call in Freckleton is a short walk to JB Social by Jimbrew Brewing. This is located inside Lupo, a lovely pizza restaurant. The interior features a contemporary and elegant design, characterized by wooden flooring and a minimalist aesthetic. The inclusion of a covered outdoor seating area is an excellent enhancement, presenting an appealing appearance. This space exudes comfort and warmth, particularly with the addition of cushions on the seating.
A unique beer board in the style of a teletext menu looks fantastic on the bar, serving 9 keg beers and ciders. Today, I selected “Neptune,” a quad-hopped beer from Phantom Brewing Co, located in Reading. This brew features a blend of Krush, Citra, Azacca, and Rakau hops. It is exceptionally hoppy and brimming with flavour.
Tap & Vent Brewhouse
Onto Kirkham next, which was a short bus ride on the number 78 bus operated by Preston Bus. My initial visit in Kirkham was to the Tap & Vent Brewhouse. This charming micropub features a single room with a more intimate seating area situated towards the rear, positioned along the main thoroughfare of Kirkham. The establishment was transformed from a former retail unit into a remarkable modern micropub, which commenced operations in 2019. The interior exudes a warm, cosy, and inviting atmosphere, complemented by wooden flooring. Additionally, there is a seating area at the front that can be either sheltered or exposed to the elements.
It was a pleasure to meet and chat with James here. The on-site brewery produces beers specifically for the pub. Brewing operations commenced here in 2022 under the name “The Brewhouse,” and it was a wonderful experience to observe the brewery setup at the back.
The bar offers an impressive variety of five cask beers, complemented by a superb selection of keg beers available for customers to enjoy. Today, I enjoyed a “Blonde” from their on-site brewery, a light and refreshing blonde ale that is easy to drink.
The Stable Bar
A short walk up the road brings me next to The Stable Bar. An exquisite transformation of a former stable into a pub is evident from the exterior, featuring green-painted stable doors. The interior exudes a warm and inviting traditional pub atmosphere, adorned with numerous photographs depicting the history of old Kirkham in the front area. At the back, patrons can enjoy a pool table and additional seating. The establishment offers a wonderfully warm welcome to all who enter.
On the bar a selection of 4 cask ales to choose from showcasing Lancashire and Yorkshire breweries. Today, I selected “Hoppy Hedgehog,” a seasonal ale from Bowland Brewery located in Clitheroe. This delightful fruity pale ale is brewed with Citra and Mosaic hops.
Kirkham Bierhaus
My last call in Kirkham is to Kirkham Bierhaus, a short walk up the road located on the main street through Kirkham. Kirkham Bierhuis commenced operations in February 2022, having been transformed from a previous Santander bank location. The interior features a spacious seating arrangement divided into several distinct sections, with the bar situated at the back. Additionally, there is an outdoor beer garden located at the rear of the establishment.
The bar offers a selection of three cask ales, complemented by an extensive array of German beers and various keg options. I have chosen “Butterley,” a product from Ossett Brewery located in West Yorkshire. This traditional English bitter begins with notes of sweet malt and honey, culminating in a distinctly bitter finish.
Tide & Tipple
Upon returning to Blackpool from Kirkham & Wesham Railway Station, I concluded my evening in Bispham at Tide & Tipple, a venue that had just opened its doors on Friday. Situated directly across from Bispham tram station, this contemporary one-room bar boasts an appealing aesthetic both internally and externally. The interior features a spacious seating area adorned with captivating images and photographs that draw the eye. Externally, there is a generous seating area that is distinct from the main thoroughfare.
The bar offers a selection of two cask ales, both sourced from the Lake District during this visit, with plans for regular updates. Additionally, there is a variety of craft ales and lagers available on tap. My preferred beer was from Bowness Bay Brewing, located in Kendal, is “Swan Gold,” which I had the pleasure of sampling during my visit yesterday. It is a delightful and refreshing blonde ale.
Beer Shed
Started the day Sunday in Fleetwood. This Micropub, called “Beer Shed,” welcomed its first customers in September 2022. It is a delightful one-room Micropub with outdoor seating at the front, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. The walls are adorned with artwork depicting the brewing process, adding to the overall charm of the place. Souvenirs from travels around the world create an interesting feature on one of the walls.
Today, the bar offers a selection of three cask ales, in addition to various keg and canned options. I opted for “Blonde,” a product of the Ennerdale Brewery located in Rowrah, Cumbria. This delightful blonde ale is crafted with water sourced from the Lake District and is triple hopped with two distinct varieties of Goldings hops.
The Pier Inn
My afternoon yesterday was spent in St Annes. My first call here was to The Pier Inn. A Micropub that opened its doors in January 2022, is conveniently situated on the square, making it easily accessible from the bus stop. The exterior of the pub is tastefully designed, setting it apart from neighbouring shops. Inside, the venue boasts a clean and pleasant ambience, offering ample seating, including some tables by the window for observing the bustling outside world. It also offers outside seating at the front.
A remarkable variety of cask ales is available at the bar, along with several keg options. Today, I have opted for “Boxer Blonde,” a product of Bowland Brewery located in Clitheroe. This delightful blonde ale features a pleasant fruity aroma and is exceptionally refreshing.
Keg N Cask
My second call in St Annes is a short walk to Keg n Cask. “Keg N Cask” is a cosy Micropub with two rooms that started operating in February 2020. There is also outdoor seating available at the front for patrons to enjoy when the weather is pleasant. Notably, the bar boasts a Blue Plaque on its façade. Originally known as Alpha House, it was constructed in 1875 and served as the first brick house in the new town. From 1876 to 1882, it functioned as the Post Office before being converted into a shop.
Today, the bar features an impressive selection of five cask ales, complemented by various keg and cider options to enhance the real ale offerings. I chose the “New Zealand Pale” from Reedley Hallows Brewery Co., located in Burnley. This pale ale is notably flavourful, showcasing delightful notes of lemon and lime.
Fifteens
My third call in St Annes was to Fifteens. A renowned pub that has been honoured with numerous awards, such as the West Pennines Pub of the Year 2022 and Lancashire Real Ale Pub of the Year 2022. The establishment, once a Lloyds Bank, still bears the logo on the front window. Inside, the interior is beautifully designed, with some seats situated on a raised level providing a view of the bar and seating area.
A diverse selection of cask ales is available at the bar, each accompanied by tasting notes and representing a broad spectrum of breweries, including both local and more distant options. Today, I opted for “Speakeasy,” crafted by Wigan Brewhouse in Wigan. This American-style IPA features a blend of four hops: Simcoe, Cascade, Mosaic, and Citra, resulting in a delightful beer.
The Hop Shoppe
My last call of my long weekend over on the Fylde Coast is to The Hop Shoppe, previously known as the Jazz Emporium, underwent expansion at the close of 2021, transforming into its current state. It now stands as a thriving community craft and real ale bar, offering a spectacular choice of beers and ciders both on cask and keg and a fantastic selection of cans and bottles in its fully stocked fridges. The establishment is bustling, with its space divided into two separate rooms.
I commenced with an American Pale Ale from the Carnival Brewing Company, located in Liverpool, known as “One O’clock Pale.” This brew was initially crafted to commemorate the inauguration of the One O’clock Gun pub at the Royal Albert Dock. It is a remarkably juicy and hazy pale ale, featuring hops such as Citra, Amarillo, and Sabro, which contributes to its exceptional flavour profile.
Micropub Adventures 