The Hilltop Hotel, Doncaster

I've been meaning to come here ever since coming across the eponymous brewery's Classic Bitter a few years ago. It's easier to reach than I had foreseen, with a frequent bus service (X78) from either Sheffield (via Rotherham) or Doncaster stopping a few yards from the door. Once inside there are two rooms on the left with tables set up for dining, and a bar counter with four hand pumps. Further on there's a door that leads to a beer garden - more of a back yard really - with on the right a public bar. All four hand pumps were offering Hilltop beers: Stout, Blonde and Golden Ale in addition to the Classic Bitter. The latter was as good as I remembered from the test brews three years ago, and although the stout was in equally good condition I was not so impressed with its flavour. Good value, though: £2.80 for the bitter and slightly more for the stronger stout. Definitely a worthwhile trip out of town.

Official site of The Hilltop Hotel - www.thehilltophotel.co.uk

Official site of The Hilltop Hotel - www.thehilltophotel.co.uk