White Bear Hotel, Ripon

Located next door to the Black Sheep Brewery this is actually Theakston's main pub in their home town. The original pub was bombed in 1941 and this new hotel was converted from nearby brewery cottages. Most of the building is hotel but there is a restaurant to one side of the pub entrance and a small cosy taproom to the right. Décor in the restaurant side is simple with a few pictures and menus on blackboards, bare floorboards, some farming implements and little atmosphere. The taproom is far pleasanter to drink in. There are handpulls in each bar usually carrying the Theakston's range plus Deuchars,Guinness and a lager. The young staff are attentive and keen, the punters vary from richish diners to old locals. As the Theakstons showcase, in tandem with the Black Bull in Paradise, the beer quality is spot on.