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Beer of the Week (w/e 27th April 2025) with Thuck Phat
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Detail Pages
Chlachain Inn, Mallaig
Mallaig
PH41 4QS
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 5½ of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Blue Scrumpy left this review about Chlachain Inn
I'd last travelled through Mallaig en route to the Old Forge at Inverie back in March, 2009. This time, we decided to stop the night and to try the town's pubs.
Our B & B owners warned me that the Chlachain Inn had closed at 10pm the previous evening (a Friday) due to staff shortages. With it already being after 9pm by the time we reached Mallaig, I came here first.
In the event, there was no worry of an early close. A group of youngsters were congregated outside to smoke, whilst inside, there was a healthy crowd listening to some live country and western music. The two handpulls at either end of the bar both had their clips turned round and I was resigned to having a bottle of Thistly Cross cider from the fridge. However, I did enquire about real ale and was told that Chlachain Dark was on. Excitedly, I ordered a half and was presented with just over a quarter of a pint of a real ale, with an excessively large head. The barman who served me didn't seem to see a problem with this and wondered off. So, I got a second barman to top it up to the half.
It had also become clear that this was no dark ale. I double checked with the second barman that this was indeed the Dark and he said it was indeed and that the other beer they normally have on was even paler. Nevertheless, I'm convinced that what I was actually drinking was actually Chlachain Golden. When I asked the name of the brewery, he simply said that he didn't know, as he was new to the job. I've since discovered the brewery is Caledonian.
They clearly don't sell much real ale here. Locals seemed to be enjoying themselves enough with their keg beers and live music. But, whilst the 3 bar staff were all friendly, their beer knowledge was lacking.
On 8th November 2021
- rating: 4
[User has posted 3040 recommendations about 3038 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Danny O'Revey left this review about Chlachain Inn
Just up the hill from the station and harbour, its a modern one room pub set mainly for families. Limited beer choice and a bit ordinary
On 6th May 2019
- rating: 5
[User has posted 1542 recommendations about 1519 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
David Ross left this review about Chlachain Inn
An extensive menu and good range of malt whiskies is supplemented by a wide selection of draught beers. A pint of Tennent's lager cost £3.30 and Stella Artois, Guinness, Belhaven Best, Belhaven Craft Pilsener, Belhaven Twisted Thistle IPA, Three Sisters Scottish Ale and Skye Red are also available, as is Strongbow cider. In addition to the modern single room bar, there is a small beer garden at the front overlooking Mallaig harbour. The Inn also does Bed and Breakfast accommodation.
On 11th July 2015
- rating: 8
[User has posted 769 recommendations about 683 pubs]