Huddersfield Day Tripping
Huddersfield Day Tripping
- By thenoisethatwemade
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- 03 Aug, 2017
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I can't remember when we actually visited Huddersfield but looking at the photos Hali was still working at The Grove. So if he's reading this and would like to remind me, that'd be nice.
Anyway, time is just a concept, where as this blog will sit in the ether for infinity or until we disappear in a nuclear cloud, as Frankie Boyle hypothesised recently. Well back to Huddersfield. Over the last 18 months it's become a very appealing destination for a beering day trip - with Magic Rock's taproom, Mallinson's new bar and Arcade beer shop newly added to the existing route of good pubs. This is by no means an exhaustive list of places to go, only where we went the day (whenever it was!) we visited:
Our day trip somewhat reduced in venue visiting due to the fact we stayed at the Magic Rock's tap for quite a few hours. You can't say anything but glowing statements for this drinking establishment, a short walk from the train station (and pretty flat). Fresh Magic Rock beer extremely well-kept (and which are about the best the UK has to offer in many styles at the moment), lots of seating, hosted food pop-ups on a weekend (we enjoyed dim sum on our visit), art exhibitions, relaxed and friendly. I think the only thing you might say is it would be nice to have a few guest beers on. As a brewery tap, of course you expect lots of Magic Rock beer BUT with all the network and contacts they have globally you might want for an exciting little bottle shop addition (just saying).
From my memory of visiting Huddersfield back in the early 2000s this part of town (slightly just out) was a bit rough and run down to say the least. I can't remember if this pub was even open, but from the outside it was the kind of pub you'd walk past (probably because you were too scared to walk in from its grimacing exterior). However at some point The Grove became good. My history is missing on Huddersfield from around 2001 to 2009, sorry to say, but I was living in different cities at that point. Also my dates may be blurred, that's just a rough guess. Think my first awareness of The 'new good beer' Grove was possibly around 2013 through Brian who used to work there and was moving to Northern Monk to start brewing. Anyway I'm rambling - if anyone can fill in more history on the pub that'd be interesting (well I'd like it). A traditional corner-esque pub in aspect, wild in beer selection - in terms of number of taps across cask/keg, different styles and countries covered and great bottle beer menu. I'm always a fan of weird shit on the walls - cue dead animals, full size paintings and other ephemera. Note - be careful of sitting in a regular's seat and being asked to move. Always head for the bottle menu and ask the staff for recommends if you get overwhelmed by all the choice. I usually get to indulge my Tilquin desire on every visit *tick*.
Huddersfield based micro-brewery Mallinson opened up their own bar in the city centre and it's a nice tucked away addition from the central area it sits in. We found the corner door, with a walkway leading up to a staircase, opening up into the main bar room. It had a clean, modern feel about the place with natural wood material for the bar area and seating (classic farmhouse-ish style table and chairs). I liked the space as it felt very down-to-earth and the hand-pulls on the bar drew your attention straight off. Of course I had to go for a Mallinson's delightful hopped pale ale on cask and it didn't disappoint.
The first time I tried to visit, it was a last pit stop before the train and when we arrived it was closed, so we just peered through the glass window. Second time we made a concerted effort to get an earlier train back to Sheffield and therefore leave a good hour to try out Arcade. It is in a similar vein to the beer shop & tasting room concept championed by the likes of my own little beer palace Hop Hideout in Sheffield and the team over at Tall Boys, Leeds. (Disclosure: I'm responsible for setting HH up). Nice range of beers from all over the world, couple of fridges (perfect for cold 'drink in' beers and 'train beers') and a few taps too - making the drink in option very appealing. It was a nice ambience and a good space to relax and chat with our friends. From memory I tried a nice Howling Hops x Verdant double black IPA and something on draught too (well from the blurry photos I took of the day...). As the night was drawing in, we bought a few beers to keep our spirits up on the train back to Sheffield (a long drawn out train journey stopping EVERYWHERE on the way back).
As I mentioned above this was just a short visit to Huddersfield for the day. But a most enjoyable one. We also recommend these places too: Pub at train station with Jimi Hendrix sign (they often have Northern Soul all-dayers), The Sportsman (you can stop on way to/back from Magic Rock Tap), Vox Bar (cocktails) and The Rat & Ratchet.
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