The Riflemans Arms, Belper

A decent local with a good line up, a pair from Dancing Duck but also one from Peak Ales and Pedigree with a cider on the fifth pump, keg on a hex T-bar and a Guinness solo. Much opened out with a neat front drinking space to the right, counter over on the left with a room on the right devoted to seating. Beyond there’s another little sitting room and toilets off to each side. There’s a small garden yard at the rear. Jolly popular on a Saturday evening visit.

On my recent visit to Belper on a Tuesday the Riflemans was not due to open until shortly before my train was due to depart, but when a pub up the hill failed to open at 4pm as expected, a window of opportunity opened for this one. (And then, when I made a dash for the train it was 15 minutes late!) I received a warm welcome from behind the bar, and when the woman serving came out to chat with one of her regulars they included me in the conversation, which doesn't happen every day. My beer was Falstaff Tate, a 4% pale or blonde ale, with a picture of the comedian Catherine Tate on the pump clip. Another Falstaff beer was due on next, and Marstons Pedigree was also available, with two more hand pumps vacant. With so many good pubs for beer in Belper, one or more may have to be omitted when doing a circuit, but this one is very handy for the station so deserves its place on any list, and is a fine pub in its own right.