I spent the day exploring a great run of pubs around Knaresborough, starting right on the station platform at The Track & Sleeper. From there I worked my way through the town, stopping at places like The Mitre, The Worlds End, Mother Shipton Inn and the Half Moon by the river. Each pub had its own character, from old stone interiors and cosy corners to bright rooms and riverside beer gardens. I enjoyed some excellent Yorkshire ales along the way and had a few friendly chats too. I finished the trip with a visit to Rooster’s Brewing Co. taproom, rounding off a relaxed day of good pubs and great beer.
Category Archives: Brewery Taps
21/02/26 -Blackheath, Halesowen, Netherton, Tividale and Netherton
I started out in Blackheath, calling into The Crafty Jar and Artisan Micro Bar before moving on through Halesowen, Netherton, Tividale and Quarry Bank. It turned into a proper gentle wander, hopping between micropubs, brewery taprooms and long-standing locals, each with its own story. Everywhere felt welcoming and easy to settle into, with warm rooms and friendly faces. I enjoyed some cracking ales along the way, from bright, citrusy pales to smooth, maltier classics. Highlights included chatting in historic pubs and finding lively darts corners. It was a simple day built around good beer and easy conversation.
21/02/26 – Stourbridge
Today saw me travelling around Stourbridge, calling into a brilliant mix of pubs and bars with Neil and local CAMRA friends. Each place had its own quiet story, from centuries-old coaching inns to former banks and High Street shops given new life. I enjoyed everything from crisp golden ales and smooth milds to hazy pales and even a dandelion and burdock brew. What really stayed with me though was how welcoming everywhere felt — warm rooms, easy conversation and proper pubs doing what they’ve always done best: giving people a comfortable place to meet, chat and slow down for a while.
20/02/26 – Bewdley
My day in Bewdley was spent wandering between eight welcoming pubs and bars, each with its own story to tell. From the 250-year-old Real Ale Tavern, once a bank, to the timber-framed Black Boy dating back to the 1400s, there was history at every stop. The Great Western nodded to the town’s railway past, while The Old Waggon & Horses and Orilla reflected Bewdley’s trading days. Bewdley Brewery brought local brewing back to life, and newer additions like Weavers sat comfortably alongside long-standing favourites. I was met with friendly faces, good conversation and excellent cask ales throughout.
19/02/25 – Worcester
I spent the day exploring Worcester’s historic and independent pubs, beginning at The Cardinal’s Hat, the city’s oldest recorded inn, and continuing through a mix of long-standing ale houses and newer craft-focused bars. Each stop offered its own character, from timber-framed Civil War history at The King Charles House to railway-arch drinking at Arch Rivals. Along the way I found welcoming hosts, comfortable interiors and impressive beer ranges, with strong cask selections throughout. From traditional bitters to fresh-hop Belgian ales and modern session pales, the day showcased Worcester’s rich pub heritage and thriving contemporary brewing scene in equal measure.
07/02/26 – Newcastle
On my trip to Newcastle, I spent the day hopping between brilliant breweries and old-school pubs, trying loads of different beers along the way. I started with fresh, hop-packed pours at Two by Two and Full Circle, then mixed it up with cosy, characterful spots like The Free Trade Inn and The Tyne Bar. Around Ouseburn, places like Brinkburn Street Brewery, The Cumberland Arms, and The Cluny were perfect for relaxed pints. Later, I found great little bars in town like The Town Mouse and Mean Eyed Cat. Great beer, friendly people, and a cracking day out for me too.
29/01/26-31/01/26 – Barcelona
I explored Barcelona’s craft beer scene with my brother, visiting a wide mix of bars, taprooms and brewpubs, from tiny hidden spots to bigger social beer halls. What stood out most was the variety: each place had its own character, from old brick and wood-filled interiors to more industrial spaces, but all felt relaxed and welcoming. We tried a huge range of beers, especially sours, hazy IPAs, saisons and local brews, often with plenty of keg lines to choose from and, surprisingly, some cask ales too. Overall, the trip was about more than beer alone; it was also about atmosphere, local character, friendly hospitality and discovering Barcelona together, one glass at a time.
17/01/26 – Bridlington, Driffield, Beverley and Cottingham
A really good day out hopping between a handful of pubs across Bridlington, Driffield, Beverley and Cottingham. Nothing rushed, just steady trains, short walks and plenty of well-kept beer along the way. Each place had its own feel, from tiny micropubs to slightly bigger bars, but all were relaxed, friendly and easy to settle into. The beer choice was spot on everywhere, with decent cask options, interesting keg lines and a few cracking pints that really stood out. Even better was bumping into familiar faces and having a proper chat over a drink. Exactly how a pub crawl should be — simple, unpretentious and thoroughly enjoyable.
10/01/26 – Rawtenstall and Burnley
I spent the day hopping between Rawtenstall, Waterfoot and Burnley, calling in at a mix of micropubs, taprooms and craft bars. Everywhere felt friendly and relaxed, often set in old shops or historic buildings that have been given a new purpose. I drank some cracking beer along the way, mostly cask, with plenty of choice wherever I went, and had some really nice chats with the people behind the bars. It was an easy, unhurried day, moving between places, settling in for a pint, and enjoying spots where conversation comes naturally and time just seems to drift.
03/01/26 – Harrogate
I spent the day drifting around Harrogate, popping into a mix of old favourites and newer independent spots, and it was a really easy way to see how good the town’s drinking scene has become. From historic pubs and station bars to laid-back craft places and micropubs, everywhere felt different but welcoming. Some were cosy and full of character, others lighter and more modern, but all were places you could happily sit and stay a while. The beer was consistently solid too, with great cask and keg choices throughout. Overall, it just felt like a relaxed, confident scene that’s grown naturally over time.
Micropub Adventures 