The Hop Emporium, Warrington

Four cask ales available at the time of my visit a few weeks ago, plus 13 keg options made up of two fonts and a couple of separate taps. Cask beers at the time were Franc in Stein (Flip Brewery), Peach Melbear (Beartown), a House Bitter and Coffee Porter (Black River). Ordering is possible at the bar, or table service using the shared online ordering process that a number of the food and drink outlets in the market use - QR codes are on the tables. Seating is shared with the other food and drink traders which means you can get your beers in from the Hop Emporium then order food from elsewhere. It's a nice setup and one I will definitely seek out again when in Warrington.

One of many food and drink stalls inside the rebuilt Warrington Market, this bar can be found in one corner of the glazed main frontage. Unlike many others of this ilk, the building interior feels really spacious and there is plenty of additional seating outside in the square if the weather permits. With four potentially interesting real ales in different styles available on handpump, I opted for the Woah Man from the Manning Brewers (£3.20).

Formerly the Real Ale Shack, now relocated to the new Warrington Market under a new name, The Hop Emporium. According to their Facebook page: Temporary opening hours due to COVID-19. We will be on reduced hours of 11-7 Monday-Saturday until we are given the go ahead by the market management to increase our opening times over the coming months. This will include Sundays. Thanks for your ongoing support.