Hebden and Halifax

Its 2019.

          .......so this year I visited Helen and Neil in Hebden Bridge. They have lived their together for over 12 years I think and this is the first time I have been over to visit them. I had only been to Hebden Bridge twice, and Halifax once, drinking. Both Hebden trips had featured the Fox and Goose, and one the New Delight up in the hills. One had included a trip to Moyles Bar as well as the Three Pigeons in Halifax. Its over ten years since I was in Hebden. And goodness, its changed.

Having caught the fast train to Lates and the slow train to Rochdale I arrived at Hebden around 15.00, heavy of head but pleased to see Helen and Neil. I walked with them from the station to their wonderful house and we caught up before heading out. Our first stop was Calan's micropub. Its a few minutes walk away and a a few feet wide. I had a pint of the Calan's best from Elland and Neil had a stout from Black something brewery in the North East. The pub was busy and friendly and was indicative of the scene that I think there is in this excellent mill town.

Our next stop was in the Old Gate, or similarly named pub. There were about eight beers on including about four from Windermere. I had a pint of one of their pale ales as we soaked up the atmosphere, but this was not a long visit as we had to get back for tea. Neil and Helen are vegetarian, so this probably did my tired old body the world of good after a 2018 almost entirely comprising of cooking bacon...

We finished the night in the Vocation Brewery Tap. This inhabits half of the former Moyles Bar which was flooded in one or both of the last two floods. There are 20 beers available including the full Vocation range, all on keg from the future, and apart from that night they serve lovely food. I accidentally chose a 12% stout and a half a BBNo saison, both of which were excellently kept, but am going to blame my sleepiness on the stout, as I was in bed asleep by before 22.00.....

The next day Neil headed into work and I got up having promised to walk to the top of Stoodley Pike. Its about a 6 miles round trip, and my claims of resilience to climbing hills and determination to do this was severely put to the test at the beginning. Once we reached the hamlet of Horsehold the route settled down a little and I suddenly realised that I was overdressed for such a walk and it was in fact mild and still. We didn't have time to head down to Lumbutts and its pub but the walk itself was very enjoyable.

Back in Hebden we headed for the Fox and Goose. This was the first pub I visited from my first ever GBG so its probably 25 years since my first visit. As I recall nothing has changed, apart from the room layout, but am told that the bar has moved completely. I had a pint of the Burton Bridge and a a half of the Stod Fold Imperial stout whilst Helen had a beer from a brewery that I have alas forgotten the name of, and a a taster of the stout. The pub was warm and clean and friendly and I think is now community owned. Long may it's success continue.

We headed back into Hebden to meet Neil and went to the Drink? Micropub. Neil was coming down with a cough but we all had a drink in here, the identity of which I may even remember. Drink? is very much a bar and bottle shop, with the cans and bottles at the front and the bar at the back. Along with the Nightjar micropub opposite Vocation as well as the unvisited Blue Pig or similar social club in the woods, this proves that Hebden is a great place to sample real ales, buy local beers and see local bands.

After popping home for scran myself and Helen headed to the Nightjar micropub, which has its own brewery, and enjoyed a half each in there. There was good music on and a decent range of ales available. Am fairly sure I had something strong and Helen tried a Nightjar brewery beer.

We finished the night in Vocation once again, now staying open as normal and serving food. I had an absolutely fabulous pint of Ask Dan NEIPA on keg at 6.9% and it was wonderful, washed down with a bowl of crispy fries and a a bowl of guacamole. Well worth a revisit!

On our final day myself and Helen headed to Halifax on the train. Alas the Three Pigeons was not open but 5 minutes up the hill is the Victorian Craft Beer Cafe. This was wonderful, with a range of 28 beers on offer and featuring 5 on cask. We probably tried six between us, enjoying every one. Alas am unable to name, or recall, my favourite....

Before I got my train back we visited the Alexandra just down the road. This small modern bar sells 5 or 6 keg ales and bottles and I went straight for the excellent Verdant Allen at 7.6% on keg. The loos are upstairs and there is more seating up there as well as another venue right next door to this excellent modern bar which was noticeably quiet in the awkward first week of the new year.

All in all it was great to spend a few days with Helen and Neil and brilliant to sample a taste of the excellent pubs in their hometown of Hebden and nearby Halifax. Definitely two places I would recommend visiting.

Cheers!

Wee Beefy