The Paper Mill, High Peak

Blue Scrumpy left this review about The Paper Mill

Sister pub to the Old Hall Inn across the road, the Paper Mill Inn feels slightly less foodie than the Old Hall which I'd visited the day before. Whilst the Old Hall Inn is open on a Tuesday with the Paper Mill Inn closed, it is the other way around on a Wednesday!

You enter into a stone tiled floor room with the bar in front of you. It has a fairly rustic feel inside. Off to the right is a bottle shop, whilst to the left is a slightly cosier seating area with the kitchen behind. From there, a sign pointed to "seating". So, presumably there was more space beyond. There is also an enclosed outdoor courtyard to the rear, whilst tables to the front of the pub were also proving popular.

There was a dartboard in one corner and background music was playing. Dogs are welcome and a beer festival was being promoted for the third weekend in September. Food is pizzas or various pop-up kitchens. I ordered a pizza that apparently hadn't been delivered that week (I'm hoping that's just the toppings and not the whole frozen pizza). However, my second choice was available and was very enjoyable indeed.

The barmaid on duty recognised me immediately from my visit to the Old Hall Inn the previous day. Cask ales were Marble Pint, Manchester Bitter & Kalidasa & Magic Rock Hat Trick. A cider also on handpull was Ascension Wrath, whilst craft beers were Deya Mind Expansion & Magazine Cover, Magic Rock High Wire Zest & Murk Life Balance & RedWillow Gooseberry Crumble.

I'm not sure which of these two pubs I prefer. They were both similar, but the Paper Mill had a slightly more relaxed feel, which I preferred. However, the Old Mill had a slightly better beer and cider selection. It is perhaps worth coming on a Thursday, Friday, Saturday or Sunday when both pubs are open. As both stock different beers, they're worth visiting in tandem.

On 2^nd September 2024 - rating: 7
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