The Three Mills, Wigan

This bar occupies the bottom right hand corner of a large former factory a short distance southwest of the stations, and across the canal. Easily reached in a few minutes and with plenty of time before my train from Wallgate to Manchester, the only downside was the complete absence of any cask beer, on a Wednesday afternoon. On querying this phenomenon I was told by the young lass serving that all the lines were being cleaned and they weren't ready to put any beers on just yet. I guess this means they only put real ale on for weekends, but it is just a guess. (The four hand pumps - very handsome, modern ones with wooden handles - are on the bar back, with keg taps either side. This means that servers have their backs to the room, an arrangement that I deprecate, especially when they are working solo as in this instance, so they are unable to keep an eye on the room.) I went for a half of La Trappe Blonde, a 6.5% trappist beer from the Netherlands, at £6.50/pint. This is a large room with frequent cast iron pillars holding up the floor above, large windows, original stone floors, modern furniture and several TV screens showing the test match. At approaching 5pm midweek it was almost deserted; if it gets busy at weekends or in the evening I reckon I would find the noise of a big room like this when full of people absolutely intolerable, but I quite liked it here. (I've just checked the date of Luton Town's next visit to Wigan Athletic, but it's a Tuesday night in February. Shame, don't think I'll be able to make it.)

Official site of The Three Mills - thethreemills.co.uk

Official site of The Three Mills - thethreemills.co.uk

Facebook page of The Three Mills - www.facebook.com

Facebook page of The Three Mills - www.facebook.com