The Griffin, Castleford

Facebook page of The Griffin - www.facebook.com

Facebook page of The Griffin - www.facebook.com

A bland late 19th century building a bit of a way from the town centre, about a 15 min walk, on the other side of the river next to a canal boat repair yard. It sits on the corner of Lock Lane and is near the rugby ground apparently. You enter straight into a lounge with bench seating and a couple of tables with traditional wheel back chairs. Through an arch to the left is a public bar with big screen and rugby memorabilia. Three pulls in the lounge, beers from Copper Dragon and RT Brew Co (?) on two with nowt on the third, there is one pull in the public with the RT beer on this occasion. The lounge has a big screen as well, showing test cricket while it was footy in the public in a subconscious display of the English class system perhaps. Lots of nicnacs in the lounge too.

This pub was busy with both Cas and Rhinos supporters shortly before the Sunday afternoon kick off at Wheldon Road, or Mend-a-Hose Jungle as we're now supposed to call it. Local Camra awards are displayed (most improved pub 2017, pub of the season, Spring 2018) and the condition of my Revolutions Candidate 3.9% confirmed that they know how to keep and serve real ales here. It's difficult to gain a good impression of a pub at such a busy time, but it seemed friendly and welcoming, even to a Leeds supporter, and I would have no trouble returning next season (while hoping for a different outcome on the pitch). Date of visit: 8th July 2018

A solid, brick built, unexceptional boozer on the edge of town. It can't be missed as there's an all yellow bicycle, presumably a remnant of the Tour's Yorkshire visit, parked on the wall outside now doing service as an advertising board for Theakston's Cresset Ale. You walk in to a traditional lounge area with the bar facing and a bench running around the walls whilst to the left is a bar for dogs and darts. The towpath telegraph had informed us that the pub had recently been taken over, that the new owners were making a decent effort and that the beer was good. Certainly the guv'nor was amiable enough and knowledgeable on his beers. The blackboard behind the bar listed: Theakston's Cresset Ale, unsurprisingly and two from Revolutions - Rattlesnakes and Manifesto Stout. The Rattlesnakes was very good, in top condition and from a local brewery. Well worth a look in for a quality pint.