Christmas 2021 Beeston

Loughborough CAMRA Christmas Trip to Beeston.

On a misty dark December late afternoon, 7 members met at Loughborough Station for the 15.16 train to Beeston for the annual Christmas trip (arriving 15.36 costing £7 return). Beeston is a town southwest of Nottingham with great transport links by train, tram and buses. From a beer point of view the town is an all year beer festival in itself with many interesting pubs and different selections of Real Ales. After arriving, the group made track from the railway to the town centre which is an half mile walk.

Our first pub on Middle Street was The Star, a former Shipstone's pub, now serving 10 real ales and previously LocAle pub of the year. The bar has featured in Auf Wiedersehen Pet although the pub is not in the North East. There is also a spacious beer garden. I always enjoy visiting The Star with their interesting beer range.

After an excellent pint of Beartown Bluebeary the group moved on to another Beeston institution not far away: the Crown Inn on Church Street. The pub has been an ale house since 1830 and has 5 distinct drinking areas including a small snug and outdoor drinking area and has been formerly the East Midlands pub of the year. The pub is owned by Everards and is known as a Project William pub which means they have to sell a least one or two of their beers, the others can be sourced from elsewhere. 11 real ales to choose from plus craft beers on offer at this delightful pub. Here we met Chris who joined us for a short period before he went to the Notts. County football match.

The next establishment was just short walk round the corner on Chilwell Road, a micro pub called Totally Tapped, a showcasing outlet for Totally Brewed Beers which are brewed in Nottingham and started up in 2014 with the aim of selling top quality products. The micro can seat 20 people. 3 Real Ales were on offer from Totally Brewed plus 6 Craft beer lines and various bottles/cans. The micro pub also serves as a takeaway for their brewed products. I went for the 4 Hopmen of the Apocalypse at 5.2% which was most enjoyable. Chris disappeared on the tram to get some Grasshopper Beers in Chilwell and met us back in the micro pub. He show me the photos he taken there and I decided there and then we must visit this place which was only 5 minute walk away called The Garage.

The Garage was a former Barton Buses Depot on High Road, Chilwell. The venue is used for various functions including a regular Street Food Event with real ale and craft beer (check Website first before going), along with some light entertainment. 5 Grasshopper Brewery real ales were available on tap, with craft beers and other drinks at this amazing place. A visit to the toilets is a must where you see 3 heritage buses along the way. Other events include themed nights, craft fairs and farmers' markets.

After spending some time there, we moved back towards Beeston to the not far away Hop Pole, also on High Road, that straddles the Chilwell/ Beeston border. The pub is 2 roomed with an emphasis on beer in a friendly environment. 6 changing real ales also on offer, I went for the Sooty Stout which is one of my favourite dark beers.

We then headed back to Beeston town centre on to The Commercial Inn on Wollaton Road. The pub was renovated in 2020 and under new direction of classic real ale and food, the pub is spacious with 10 real ales to choose from. Soon it was time to head back to our last pub of the day which was The Victoria, a restored classic building right next to the Railway Station on Dovecote Lane. The 2 bar areas serve 16 real ales with 14 changing and there is a separate dining area and an undercover outside area. Always a delight to visit the Victoria. Our train back to Loughborough was at 21.55. A most enjoyable night was had by all.

Merry Christmas.

Dave Roche

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