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Beer of the Week (w/e 27th April 2025) with Thuck Phat
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The Shepherds Rest, Sowerby Bridge
Sowerby Bridge
HX6 2BD
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 8 of 10) see review guidelines
Brainy Pool left this review about The Shepherds Rest
I was under the impression that this is an Ossett pub, but not anymore - just White Rat on alongside beers from Bradfield and possibly others. Fairly lively inside on this Saturday evening visit with most people crowded around the bar. I wouldn’t necessarily say it’s a must visit, but not a bad pub on the way up/down the hill.
On 23rd February 2025
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 1174 recommendations about 1136 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Old Boots left this review about The Shepherds Rest
An L shaped corner pub on the hill going towards Halifax. Now under new owners, formerly an Ossett pub there’s only one Ossett beer on now, with two Lilleys ciders, plus beers from Thornbridge, Mallinsons, Phoenix and Theakstons on the four plus four pulls. These are on different faces of the L Shaped counter. Broadly divided into three areas plus an large outside sitting area, there’s a pool table in one part, lots of seating by the counter and a smaller part at the back towards the rear garden.
On 28th May 2023
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 3599 recommendations about 3279 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about The Shepherds Rest
Ossett pub up the hill so away from the Saturday night madness. L shape with a brick arch on the right leading to a further room with darts. Gloomy lighting which failed to make the tidy traditional decor shine. Seven pumps with four on, my Ossett Silver was so-so (NBSS 2) although towards the end of the barrel I suspect as the barmaid didn’t put much elbow into the pour. Talking of flat, so was the atmosphere, the TV playing music vids didn't help as it dominated the space and there were only a handful of people in - in contrast to the pubs down the hill which were busy. A couple of dugs wondering around. Needs a rethink, feels like it’s struggling a bit. 5.5
On 25th June 2022
- rating: 5
[User has posted 5552 recommendations about 5533 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Will Larter left this review about The Shepherds Rest
We arrived here just before opening time at 3pm, but a woman parking here car said that she thought it was 4pm these days. Fortunately she was proven wrong quite quickly, and we invited her to join us but she had to collect her grand-daughter from school. Once inside we were surprised to find three drinkers already there, so there must ab a back door for locals. There were eight hand pumps, with five real ales on seven of them (two of the Ossett beers doubled) and two ciders on the blackboard and presumably in boxed polypins. Two of us fancied the Phoenix Monkeytown Mild, but it seems we were the first for a long time to fancy this beer, because it was pretty ropey. Our companion went for the White Rat which was reportedly fine. As soon as we settled down, some rather loud music started up, which I could have done without. The locals seemed to be used to it and just carried on speaking among themselves.
On 21st June 2022
- rating: 4
[User has posted 4273 recommendations about 3935 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Al Bundy left this review about The Shepherds Rest
A lovely pub at the far end of the main road. 3 distinct areas with an archway separating 2 of the rooms. 8 handpumps on the bar with 3 serving Ossett beers and the rest guest ales today. Old tin advertising plates decorate the walls. Quiet on this early afternoon visit.
On 18th March 2016
- rating: 8
[User has posted 3487 recommendations about 3390 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Real Ale Ray left this review about The Shepherds Rest
A well run Ossett house this one, with friendly locals and bar staff alike. We called in here on a Wednesday afternoon and had a great time, chatting and joking with a few of the regulars. The young barmaid was also great fun.
There where 8 ales on handpump, so we went for the Rat Brewery White Rat and the Phoenix Hop Sack. One not to be missed when out and about in Sowerby Bridge.
On 9th November 2015
- rating: 10
[User has posted 3645 recommendations about 3645 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Alan Winfield left this review about The Shepherds Rest
The Shepherds Rest is a stone built pub that is at the top end of town on the road to Halifax.
Once inside there is a small room to the front,but i decided to go to the rear where the main room is,this is an L shaped room which has comfy bench seating and normal tables and chairs,the floor is part tiled and stone.
I did'nt really know about this being an Ossett tied house until doing this review.
There was a very good choice of real ales on the bar,i had a drink of Phoenix Hopsack which was a very nice well kept beer,the other beers i noted were Rat White Rat,Ossett Yorkshire Blonde,Rudgate Strenght in Numbers,Hebden Bridge Trouser Town,Little Valley Vanilla Porter and Hartshill Little Mester.
There was a TV showing Athletics.
The pub was quite busy on my Saturday afternoon visit with drinkers.
I quite liked this pub.
There is also a very nice chippy just down from the pub which has the best scraps i have ever had.
Pub visited 29/8/2015
On 29th August 2015
- rating: 9
[User has posted 6113 recommendations about 6113 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
ROB Camra left this review about The Shepherds Rest
Packed on our recent Friday evening visit. Lot's of good beer hoices and a very friendly atmosphere. It's quite a walk up from the centre of town, but it's worth it.
06/04/2010
An Ossett brewery pub, so you know what you're going to get. Well kept beer in a well kept pub. This one doesn't disappoint either. You walk into a relatively small lounge which is deceptive as there's a much bigger lounge just around the corner. Six Handpumps on the go yesterday with 3 Ossett beers alongside changing guests. I had a Fernandes Centennial and a long way from it's birthplace a Fullers Bengal Lancer, both were good. The back lounge is decorated with old travel posters and is very comfortable. The pub dog appears to be fairly mad and was merrily ripping up beermats whilst we were in, he's very friendly though. A decent set of regulars and a pleasant place to while away an hour.
On 1st May 2014
- rating: 8
[User has posted 3286 recommendations about 3196 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Darren Carney left this review about The Shepherds Rest
Excellent pub with a big range of quality ales not just from Ossett. Very good atmosphere and dog friendly too!
On 30th April 2009
- rating: 10
[User has posted 9 recommendations about 9 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
James Joines left this review about The Shepherds Rest
An Ossett Brewery House.
On 15th April 2009
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 841 recommendations about 835 pubs]