Kirkstile Inn, Loweswater, Cockermouth

A destination pub and former home of the brewery which became Cumbrian Legendary Ales (now relocated to near Hawkshead; responsible for Loweswater Gold, a champion in its class). A full range of their beers is available on the bar and in presentation packs, but I guess most people come here for the food. This was certainly the case when I interrupted my bike ride from Eskdale to Borrowdale for a well-earned beer: all the other customers were tucking into soup, sandwiches and whatever lunchtime food was available. I sat with my beer at the smallest table in the place that they had all shunned. My half of Grasmoor Dark Ale was not as good as the Bowness Bay Swan Black that I'd had at my previous refuelling stop in Ennerdale, but it was ok. The bar here is not part of the original hotel, which itself looks like it was added on to existing farm buildings, so this could have been some sort of outhouse, milking parlour or byre. Whatever, it's well presented, with whitewashed walls, dark beams, exposed stone, real fires, you name it. Definitely worth making the effort to get here. Date of visit: 18th September 2019

Remote location but has everything you need - including Loweswater Gold. One of the finest beers found on the Inn Way to the Lake District. Lovely beer garden, rambling rooms, food looked good. Visit blogged at http://bit.ly/2qE6XMg