Rendezvous at The Bradford Interchange for the 10.45 Bus which should gets us to Marsden by Noon- Opening Time. And so began another Holden Tour. What could possibly go wrong? A West Yorkshire Day Bus Ticket (£4.60) would give us freedom of travel throughout the region. The West Yorkshire Website providing the times. Everywhere we would visit was also accessible by Train.
This meant an early Breakfast at Mughals. Jonathan, Robin and Clive made up the four leaving Bradford Interchange. Ricky and Dr. Stan would join us on the edge of The City. The Bus is running late, we’ll miss our connection to Huddersfield – so Ricky informed us soon after boarding. And so we found ourselves on a Bus to Slaithwaite. An Old Mill Town outside Huddersfield, this is well off the beaten track. But not any more. The Commercial is a Pub that Ricky was determined we would visit, so we did. An Open Bar with three rooms, quite a spacious place. With Nine Ales on Tap there should be something for everyone. For us, there was Citra at a welcomed low 3.8% (Mallinsons, Huddersfield, Yorkshire) to start off the day. Pacing ourselves as was required. This would not be the last Mallinsons Ale consumed today. A first experience of this Brewery. The Citra lived up to its name, Light and Gold, the Grapefruit came through.
It was thankfully a short Bus ride to Marsden, another Historic Mill Town and impressive it was too. Some splendid architecture. Hector suspects he may find his way back here.
The Riverside Brewery Tap was the attraction. Yesterday I fancied some Plum Stout at the Keighley Beer Festival but was denied. My view of all available Ales was blocked by my own Company and a Chap at the Bar who gave the distinct impression that he owned that section. Brewed by Wentworth (Rotherham, South Yorkshire) at 4.7% a step in the right direction. There was a Fruity Flavour, not necessarily Plum. Not my normal style of Ale, but I had the notion. Time to get back on track.
A Brewery Tap, so it was fitting to try the Top Catch (Marsden, Huddersfield, Yorkshire) at 5.9% Now we’re talking. Or so I thought. As has been happening quite a bit of late, a High Pouring Ale tasted Flat. Not only Flat but Warm. The bottom of Robin’s Pint was Livelier and Cooler than the Fresh Pint I had just been given. I took it back. This isn’t right. I made no request for a New Pint or a Refund and took my seat. The Chaps enquired as to my tactics. If this is An Honourable Establishment they will do something. Moments later a Pint was presented. It was Cool, Sharp and hit the Spot.
Time to leave. Ricky knew he had to get us to the Rat and Ratchet in Huddersfield for 15.00. We were due to meet up with Huddersfield’s Own – John and Judith. They arrived minutes after us. Bring on the King Rat! At 5.0% bang on the mark.
Saltaire’s Hopfen (Saltaire Brewery, Shipley, Yorkshire) had to be tried too. I don’t recall this being on two nights previously at the Brewery itself. At 5.6% it should have made more of an impression.
The Star was mentioned. Before I knew it the Company had split and people had moved down the hill. This would be a first for Hector. John and Judith nominated The Star as their favourite Huddersfield Watering hole currently. And to think The Grove used to reign supreme. What happened?
As soon as I set foot in The Star I felt at home. The welcome was sincere. We met a Brewer, Tara from Mallinsons. Will we now see Mallinsons Ales at next year’s Glasgow Beer Festival? We were In The Zone. Salamander’s (Bradford, Yorkshire) Death Brusher at 5.2% was noted as being a waste of time. Pity. I don’t think I am a fan of this Brewery.
The Company Grew, The Company shrank. A Bus up to the Bus Station was mooted, near to The Grove. And so this part of the night concluded at the Pub which first brought us to Huddersfield. Once more there were no staff on duty we knew. A recurring problem.
The Ale of choice was not from Yorkshire but That London. Brodies Old Street Porter at 5% was Outstanding. I wondered if this was a wind up. Grapefruit in a Glass. Exactly the Flavour and Sensation The Company seek. We shall keep an eye out for this.
There were other Ales on the board at The 
Grove I could have tried, and German Bier too in Bottles, but time was against us. The time of the Last Bus to Bradford was announced. We were away before the that.
Only two were up for Curry this evening. What a mistake. The Lamb Chops at The International this evening were out of this world.
And Finally
Being a Sunday Night and knowing The Sparrow was not open, and the Hike to Haigys would waste VDT. Clive and I settled for the Sir Titus Salt. There would be no more Ale for Hector on this Trip. The Classic Wetherspoons Problem of the two choices I made from the Pump Clips turned out to be – Available Soon.
Aye Right.
The Brewery Taps and Pubs visited today:
The Commercial Inn – 1 Carr Lane, Slaithwaite, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire HD7 5AN
Riverside Brewery Tap – 2 Peel Street, Marsden, Huddersfield, HD7 6BR
The Rat and Ratchet – 40 Chapel Hill, Huddersfield Road, HD1 3EB
The Star – 7 Albert St, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, HD1 3PJ
The Grove – 2 Spring Grove St, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire HD1 4BP
Sir Titus Salt – Unit B, Windsor Baths, Morley St, Bradford, West Yorkshire, BD7 1AQ
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