The Malt TravAle Podcast
The Trail
Our choice would be to start from the Manchester end and work back East towards Leeds, midweek would be our choice though some of the pubs a little further from the stations may not always be open so check websites etc.
Get a Day Ranger £25.20 - technically you can break a rail journey on an Anytime single or return – you cant break a journey with any type of advanced ticket – Off peaks vary so may need to check the small print – at the weekend likely that trains will have ticket checks as part of the advanced security especially in the summer months
Also be aware that not all thee Trans Pennine Express services stop at all 8 stations – Northern trains always do (note the Government are currently running the Northern Train franchise so trains etc may change in the near future)
Oz Clarke and James May Drink Drink to Britain Episode 1 – they actually only visited 3 pubs in the programme
West Riding refreshment rooms where Oz correctly blind tastes and identifies Jaipur
Huddersfield Kings Head where a lot of halves are poured Sam Smiths Light Mild is sampled and discussed while their next train is delayed and finally Staylybridge.
The Pub List (starting from Manchester Victoria and heading East)
Quick beer in Manchester
The Micro Bar in the Indoor Market at the back of the Arndale Centre – very much a ‘mens creche’ on a weekend – only about 6 seats at the bar but 200+ beers to choose from (maybe pick something to sip on the train) 5 minute walk to Manchester Victoria
Stalybridge
Buffet bar directly on station - quite towards middle if day early afternoon after most have set off or haven't arrived yet
If mad busy and you have time or want to stagger your start why not do reputedly Britain shortest and longest pub names both close to each other and walking distance from Station
Q – town centre on Market Street, Hydes Pub, 1 guest What Pub listed
The Old Thirteenth Cheshire Astley Volunteer Rifleman Corp Inn. – the Rifleman is only 50 yards from The Q – the original OTCVRCI was on top of the hill but stopped trading in 2016 – the name was reborn at this site in 2019 - changing range of cask
Marsden
The Railway first pub down from the station – one room traditional – do some great Pork pies and Yorkshire pudding starters – What Pub list as a Marston’s Pub – but not on the Marston’s pub list
The Riverhead Brewery Tap former brew pub bought by Ossett in 2006 and now the Brewery’s smallest plant – two brewers barrel plant producing 8 firkins per brew – you will get Riverhead Brewery beers here not available else where (some do go out to festivals)
Slaithwaite
The Commercial in village centre good range of beers – always Slaithwaite’s Empire Brewing - beers available
Huddersfield
Head of Steam- part of Cameron's portfolio but massive range of beers – right on station – 4 different rooms with bar acting as a hub- Camra discount
Kings Head also directly on the Station – GBG listed – impressive building and impressive range if beers
Albert Hotel – Victoria Street – Heritage Pub – Important Historic interior – Enterprise Inns back in centre of town by the main Post Office
Rat & Ratchet GBG listed Osett owned but with on site Rat micro brewery CAMRA discount– about 15 minute walk through town centre from Station good if you feel like stretching your legs and walking off some beer – you’ll pass plenty of other pubs on the way including The Commercial a Sam Smiths pub about half way.
Simon Jenkins who wrote the Yorkshire Beer Bible and wrote the pub column in the Yorkshire Post for 25 years recommends the Grove. Its not too far from the station and boasts up to 19 real ales and 20 keg lines. Its interior is decorated with unusual artwork and artefacts, including some large scale taxidermy, think moose and wildebeest.
Mirfield
The Navigation - canal side free house 5 minute walk from station, the pub is an ambassador for Theakston beers
Flowerpot, another Ossett brewery pub, dating back to 1807, 400 yds from station with a beer terrace/garden overlooking the River Calder.
Dewsbury
West Riding Refreshment Rooms 25year plus in the GBG - CAMRA discount – straight from train to bar – stay here and have 2 pints – expanded in to the Beerhouses pub group which includes Stalybridge Buffet
Leeds
Scarbrough Hotel (locals call it The Taps) – large very attractive looking Nicholson’s pub below Leeds station ramp, we always prefer the area to the left of the bar – CAMRA discount note the spelling named after its founder not the seaside town
Leeds Brewery tap is also just round the corner – but more of that in the next episode.