The Hop Emporium, Warrington

Visited back in February on a Thursday afternoon. Four cask options at the bar that were all initially on, but the one I asked for went off mid pour and was removed. Second choice was decent, Ossett Trip #2 at £4.10 a pint (£2.05 half) and was also the cheapest of the day. A bit chilly in the shared seating area (seems strange typing this in the middle of a July heatwave) and the metal chairs are a bit harsh on the backside. But I do like it here and I will definitely return.

Different, a stand within the food market with tables in front. Good service and good products & you can order food from the market. Not traditional by any means but very good for what it offers

Located in the new Warrington Market complex. If you enter via the far entrance (like I did) it isn’t easy to find, my advice is to navigate to Costellos where you find the main entrance opposite; head over through the doors and it's then on your immediate left. What we have is essentially a concession stall and you take your drink to the communal long tables along with everyone else who has ordered from the other outlets. Crafttkeg and can focussed though four cask are available and at competitive prices – at 4 quid it’s about the same price as the rest of town. A mix of Northern micros and regionals with a range of styles. My Pentrich Yuletide Throwdown was in great shape (NBSS 4) and of course this is GBG 24 listed. You can never love these kind of places but you can at least enjoy a good quality cask, which in Warrington isn’t easily guaranteed. Note that opening hours are restricted to those of Warrington Market's Cookhouse hospitality area.

Well, it’s not a pub but a market stand selling beer. But whereas a lot of these things stick to expensive craft keg, this one offers four real ales at very reasonable prices (£3.40 - £3.70). Service is professional and the beer quality very good in a range of styles. Today their own bitter was on alongside Tiny Rebel Peloton Pale, Empire What A View and S’more Porter. Hard to rate as it lacks character or atmosphere (as does the market itself), but it’s a good example of the concept and I will be interested to see if it maintains the high standards.