The Neptune Beer Emporium, Stonegravels, Chesterfield

This obviously used to be a small backstreet locals pub. It's now been turned into something of a destination pub styling itself as a "Beer Emporium". It's very close to the Chesterfield Arms and between them they serve around 16 different cask ales. The bar is very close to the door as you enter and I can see this being a problem at busy times. The main drinking areas are either side of the entrance. I had a pint of Barlow Betty's Blonde which was only OK and a half of Spire Dark Side which was excellent. A friendly barmaid added to the attractions. We'll definitely be coming here again.

This is a back street boozer (Thwaites according to previous review) that is now an Ale House presumably free of any tie. There are some mosaic tiles as you enter then wooden floored areas either side. The bar has eight hand pumps which had Thornbridge Peverel, Sandway Hop Sepia, Pig & Porter Slow Black Stout, Abbeydale Absolution, Liverpool Organic Pale, Ashover Hummy, Peak Ales Chatsworth Gold and Spire Chesterfield Butt. Ciders are also on offer. I went for the Sandway Hop Sepia (£3.10) which was cold and not entirely clear. I would give this one another go especially as it's so close to the Chesterfield Arms.

Now renovated and trading as a free house with more handpumps, interesting UK and foreign kegs and a selection of bottles. The interior appears the same but brightened up while outside still has the Thwaites signage. A good double header with the Chesterfield Arms.

The signage indicates a Thwaites house, and the board beside the door even features the words "Cask Ales", so I had hopes of supping a Thwaites Bitter or even their excellent Nutty Black, but on entering I was confronted by two naked hand pumps, and my hopes were dashed when the barman confirmed, with a note of surprise in his voice, that there is no real ale served here.