SALT, Shipley

Named as Salt or SALT (both are in use on their Facebook page), but known locally as the Tram Shed, this Ossett pub was incredibly busy at the time of our Saturday afternoon visit, with tables outside filling up and beer being poured at a tremendous rate by the very efficient staff. I went for Ossett Butterley (NBSS 3.5) and White Rat (NBSS 4) and we went and sat outside as the interior was crowded and noisy. This place is in the Good Beer Guide, and Camra's new website is showing it with three full beer glasses, indicative of recent high beer scores, so definitely one to include on a tour of the area. I can't help thinking that a steady downpour would have left us with a less good impression though.

Facebook page of Salt Bar & Kitchen - www.facebook.com

Facebook page of Salt Bar & Kitchen - www.facebook.com

Not one for the traditionalists as it's a large barn converted from a tramshed. The main room is on two levels, but there's a smaller, more pubby bit to the right which was being used for dining late on a Friday afternoon. There's a massive beer patio at the front that will be great in Summer. A great selection of beer as long as you like Ossett beers and their other breweries. Very efficient and friendly bar staff. I had a pint of White Rat at £3.15 which was in excellent nick. I'll definitely call in here again next time I'm in Saltaire.

This is a large, modern open lan pub and live music venue located on the main road through Saltaire and part of the small Yorkshire-based Hop chain. The building is the town’s former tramshed and as you approach through the sizeable front drinking patio, you can see numerous old rails all leading in the direction of the building. The pub has an impressive, spacious interior with large glass frontage allowing plenty of light in and an attractive curved bar counter along the rear wall. The room has been laid out across various levels, with lots of comfy, high-end looking furniture throughout, supplemented by high tables and stools. An open kitchen can be seen over to the rear right of the room with a pizza oven nearby, churning out some tasty looking creations. Some pleasant plaster friezes can be found running around parts of the walls, there are smart dark floorboards to contrast the decorative tiled floor around the bar area and exposed brick is the order of the day pretty much everywhere else, helping to emphasise the historic nature of the building. A mezzanine dining area looks down over the main part of the bar, although I didn’t venture up there to explore properly. Old bookcases and display cabinets act as appropriate additions to the pub’s decor although there were several TV screen showing muted Sky Sports News as well. Ossett beers unsurprisingly made up the majority of the ale range, with the full line-up comprising Ossett Big Red, Excelsior, Yorkshire Blonde and Silver King, Rat White Rat, Small World Spring Bank, Stancill Porter and Sharps Doom Bar. As I was driving, I opted for a half of the White Rat, which was a decent enough drop served to me by a cheery barmaid. I liked the way this interesting building had been successfully repurposed, even if the link to its days as part of the local transport system was somewhat underplayed within. As with most Hop pubs, the beers was plentiful and in good shape and the staff were friendly and knowledgeable. Definitely a good bet for a pint or two if you’re visiting Saltaire.