The Market, Chesterfield

Located by the towns main market square this one does very much have a focus on food. The single roomed internal space wraps around the central servery and the walls of the larger section to the left are dominated by the chalk boards for the food menu and available wine selection. And although there is a chalk board for the impressive array of seven ale and cider pumps on the bar, it is almost apologetically tucked away on one of the bar pillars. Five ales and two ciders available for our visit as detailed by Mr Fastard below and I also went for the Titanic Plum Porter Special Reserve. Cannot comment on the impressive food menu, but the impressive ale option does make The Market deserving of a visit on a beer crawl of Chesterfield

Described by CAMRA as a ‘premium gastropub’, this is a smart destination. There were nine pumps with two serving fake ‘real’ cider and Titanic Plum Porter but perhaps not as Grand Reserve as the pump clip would have us believe. Nevertheless, it was very good, £2.75 a half with a top-up offered without prompting. Another Chesterfield must-visit.

At one end of the large market ,there are several features showing the buildings age.The interior has a central bar and two sections either side,the left culminates in two long red leather benches and a kitchen opening and this feels like the dining area. This area has a stone floor while the section to the right has a wooden floor,exposed brickwork and feels like the place drinkers will congregate using the traditional furniture.Food is an important feature of the pub but doesn't dominate.The flatscreen was sensibly on mute. One side of the L shaped bar has the handpumps offering on my trip TT Landlord,Black Iris Hazardous Brewtation,Titanic Plum Porter Grand Reserve (NBSS 3.5),Abbeydale Moonshine and Absolution,Oakham Citra and two handpumped ciders.I thought that was a very good line up with some style and strength variation which would make it a must visit on any real ale crawl.I would certainly use it again.

Just a quick visit on a surprisingly busy Sunday afternoon. The banging door (see my January review) has been fixed by hooking it back in the open position. Seven cask beers on, of which Oakham Green Devil was very good (NBSS 3.5 almost 4, £2.75 for a half at 6%).