D'Ale House, Rochdale

Another micro/bar playing quality music on my visit. This one was less friendly than the Pint Pot but the ale was a lot better- my Time Warp stout was stunningly good (on a Saturday). The bar is in the middle, in nice bare brick, atop a couple of steps from the entrance and seating area. Would I be back? Possibly, for the beer.

Micropub on two levels inside. A crushing disappointment, sadly; five cask but the Four Horseman was awful. Taken off. Replacement of Wilde Child Escape From LA was murky and flat. Also grudgingly taken off. No refund offered. Finally got a Pictish Porter which was good (NBSS 3.5) but by then damage was done and the barman was getting close to hostile. A shame as the basic alehouse interior had a decent atmosphere. But 2/5 cask being undrinkable is atrocious for this sort of establishment, especially as it’s GBG’23 listed.

Facebook page of D'Ale House - www.facebook.com

Facebook page of D'Ale House - www.facebook.com

Rochdale's new microbar is a bit bare at the moment as it's only just opened. Entrances on both Drake Street and Church Street with a few steps up to the bar from Drake Street. 5 handpumps on the bar with 3 operating today. Pictish D'ale (rebadged Alchemists Ale) and Brightside Odin will be permanent alongside 3 guests although today only Serious Moonlight is available. Friendly manager and chatty punters during my 1/2 hour visit this afternoon. There's also a 30p per pint CAMRA discount. I'll review it again once everything has settled in. Be aware that it isn't open on Mondays no matter what the sign on the door says.