The Tannery, Middlesbrough

Small micro tucked away in a courtyard behind Cooplands and the chippy. Four pulls of small brewery offerings plus three craft kegs and the less enticing Estrella presumably for the philistines and hard of tasting. Cans are also for sale, cans of this week were Two by Two Porter and IPA.  There’s a mix of seating, high at stools by shelf or scaffolding tables and low on old benches, stools or normal pub chairs. A small area outside with seats is cordoned off from the yard. I was served by a nice but slightly dotty lady and the place was reasonably busy soon after the 1pm Saturday opening time, it opens at 4 pm Monday, Thursday and Friday which makes visiting by bus a wee bit difficult but very worthwhile. Not full on micro as spirits and canned music are available.

This is a pleasant and popular micropub, pretty well hidden away despite being only a few yards off the village’s High Street. The pub occupies a former hairdresser’s and is therefore set out in the typical shop-converted micropub format - a single room with smart floorboards, dark panelled, three-quarter height wood panelled walls, supplemented by some bizarre monkey-themed wallpaper and a neon ‘Tannery’ sign in front of a trellis of fake ivy and fern, and a compact servery to the rear. Large shop windows to the front have a drinking ledge beneath, served by a row of bar stools, whilst high tables and stools fill the gap between windows and bar, leaving enough space down the right-hand side for a row of tables with pew, chair and low stool seating options. The bar has a nice retro counter front and some modern metal frame shelving on the bar back, flanked by white tiles and with a pleasant pub mirror as a centrepiece. A bit more effort seems to have gone into the décor here compared to your average micropub, with some old grocer’s crates nailed sideways on the walls, creating a set of makeshift shelving units filled with potted plants, vases and other bric-a-brac. Some pictures and tapestries, mainly themed around nature, decorate the remaining wall space alongside the usual blackboards listing various drink options. There was only one other customer sat inside on a warm summer’s evening – everyone else was taking advantage of a packed front patio area, where a mix of metal garden furniture and picnic benches have been laid out. A pleasant soundtrack played quietly in the background throughout my visit and the customers and barman all seemed very friendly, with the latter taking a bit of time out to chat with me about local pubs, breweries and the like. The bar supports four handpulls, three of which were in action when I arrived, offering a choice between Banks’ Sunbeam, S43 Brewery Phoenix and Three Brothers Chocolate Digestive Milk Stout. I tried the Phoenix, which I thought was a very enjoyable pint in top condition, so much so that I stayed longer than intended, and ended up also sampling the Milk Stout, which was also in great shape. This struck me as a nice, welcoming micropub with an interesting selection of cask ales in fine condition. The pub’s popularity with the locals suggests that it’s serving the community well and the friendly staff and smart décor should help ensure repeat custom. A good addition to the village’s pub scene and worth seeking out if you’re in the general area.

Official site of The Tannery - www.thetanneryayton.co.uk

Official site of The Tannery - www.thetanneryayton.co.uk

Visited yesterday. Four hand pulls at the bar with one off and the chalk board listing it as coming soon. This is a quiet proper micro pub with no music played (unless it was at such a low volume I couldn't hear it). A few punters in at 5:30pm on a Monday evening, mainly older gents round the bar plus what looked like two generations of a family seated and having a drink. I had the Tiny Rebel Peloton Pale Ale at £1.80 for a half. Nibbles are served - Yorkshire crisps, nuts and pork scratchings. Keg beers also available - Estrella plus three taps I didn't make a note of. There is also a wine list and various gins. A live music event was advertised (not very micropubby perhaps) but not sure if this was a one off or a regular thing. Despite the better beer choice and cheaper prices than the other pubs I have been to in Great Ayton, I didn't feel fully relaxed in here for some reason. I may well give it another try if I get the chance though, and it's definitely worth a look.