The Bank Top Brewery Tap, Astley Bridge, Bolton

Another bus trip out of town to get the GBG Tick. A traditional two roomer, full with horse racing fans and men with dogs. A bewildering array of nine handpulls from the brewery on. I went for the dark mild, a champion winner. Full of life, if you catch it at the right time.

Our final pub of an 18-pub Greater Manchester crawl was the Bank Top Brewery Tap. This was actually the first pub of the day that I was re-visiting after being last in here in 2013 possibly prior to a football match. It is very much the same as I remember, being a two-room backstreet pub with welcoming staff. I wasn't quite sure what welcome we would get, as we were arriving close to last orders. However, I managed to get two swift halves in with no pressure to leave. Bank Top beers generally include Dark Mild, Flat Cap, Pavilion Pale Ale & Palomino Rising. Also on from Bank Top were Bad To The Bone, Drayman's Draught, Port O'Call & Harlequin. The guest beer was Acorn Summer Pale. Real ciders were Sandford Orchards Devon Mist, Gwynt y Ddraig Black Dragon & Red Bank Autumn Orchard. Situated a little north of the town centre, this is still one of the most consistently reliable pubs in Bolton.

This pub used to be called The Carters. Local (Bolton) based brewery, Bank Top Brewery, recently took over the pub and have spent considerable time and, from the quality of the refurbishment, money in renovating the pub. The pub is decorated with pale walls and dark wood fittings. No juke boxes, no fruit machines, no pool table, no noise just a nice friendly, comfortable pub. There's a full range of Bank Top ales on tap with a few more common lagers - San Miguel and Carlsberg (I think). The staff are pleasant and helpful and the landlady will help you choose your ales if you're unsure which to go for. They also do a taster selection of 3 1/3 pint glasses so you dont have to risk a full pint to see if you like a new brew or not. There's also quite a nice selection of bottled continental lagers and beers should you fancy something different. The only downside of the pub is the small bar area. Anymore than 6 people and you're in a queue :( Other than that there's a cosy little snug area if you want a bit of peace away from the main bar! Having drunk in Bolton for over 20 years the 'Tap' as we call it is now probably the best 'local' pub in Bolton. If you like your ales in a quiet, grown up atmosphere you'll love this pub!