Dusty Miller, Hebden Bridge

This is an old pub that has been thoroughly modernised, as described by Ray below. It's a bit too smart for me, but I was too tired after walking from Todmorden to bother about it. There are six hand pumps on the bar now, which suggests that business must be good, despite Barbary's opposite being in the current Good Beer Guide. I went for the Ossett White Rat, £4.50/pint, which was in gorgeous condition. (Others were Boltmaker and Golden Best from Timothy Taylor, Thornbridge Jaipur, and a couple of guests from Tiny Rebel and Big Trip.) I know White Rat quite well these days, and this one was smooth and velvety, with a tight head lasting all the way down the glass, and the lingering bitter finish very well expressed, so I scored it Excellent (in the new version of the CAMRA beer scoring system).

A good sized pub with a couple of open plan rooms on the right of entrance, The larger room hosting an original stone fireplace, upholstered bench seating and carpeted. The middle section had a grey flag stone floor, with a central bar area. The bar counter all modern with a stainless steel counter and laminated sheeted bar front. Beyond this area was more seating, pool table and a further lounge. The young landlady and staff were all very welcoming and upbeat chatting away to all their customers. The place was clean and tidy and beer quality excellent. Four handpumps serving TT Boltmaker, Theakston Old Peculier, Vocation Bundle Up Pale Ale and Roosters Yorkshire Pale Ale