The Shepherds Rest, Sowerby Bridge

I was under the impression that this is an Ossett pub, but not anymore - just White Rat on alongside beers from Bradfield and possibly others. Fairly lively inside on this Saturday evening visit with most people crowded around the bar. I wouldn’t necessarily say it’s a must visit, but not a bad pub on the way up/down the hill.

An L shaped corner pub on the hill going towards Halifax. Now under new owners, formerly an Ossett pub there’s only one Ossett beer on now, with two Lilleys ciders, plus beers from Thornbridge, Mallinsons, Phoenix and Theakstons on the four plus four pulls. These are on different faces of the L Shaped counter. Broadly divided into three areas plus an large outside sitting area, there’s a pool table in one part, lots of seating by the counter and a smaller part at the back towards the rear garden.

Ossett pub up the hill so away from the Saturday night madness. L shape with a brick arch on the right leading to a further room with darts. Gloomy lighting which failed to make the tidy traditional decor shine. Seven pumps with four on, my Ossett Silver was so-so (NBSS 2) although towards the end of the barrel I suspect as the barmaid didn’t put much elbow into the pour. Talking of flat, so was the atmosphere, the TV playing music vids didn't help as it dominated the space and there were only a handful of people in - in contrast to the pubs down the hill which were busy. A couple of dugs wondering around. Needs a rethink, feels like it’s struggling a bit. 5.5

We arrived here just before opening time at 3pm, but a woman parking here car said that she thought it was 4pm these days. Fortunately she was proven wrong quite quickly, and we invited her to join us but she had to collect her grand-daughter from school. Once inside we were surprised to find three drinkers already there, so there must ab a back door for locals. There were eight hand pumps, with five real ales on seven of them (two of the Ossett beers doubled) and two ciders on the blackboard and presumably in boxed polypins. Two of us fancied the Phoenix Monkeytown Mild, but it seems we were the first for a long time to fancy this beer, because it was pretty ropey. Our companion went for the White Rat which was reportedly fine. As soon as we settled down, some rather loud music started up, which I could have done without. The locals seemed to be used to it and just carried on speaking among themselves.