Golden Lion Hotel, Todmorden

Called in again last night and the beer had improved a great deal since my visit with A & H below. I had the Challenger IPA and my colleague had 1816, both were good pints.

An impressive looking traditional pub, just off the Rochdale Road and next to the Rochdale canal. Unfortunately, the interior has been unsympathetically opened up into a largely soulless space, despite some of the original features remaining. The pub features CopperDragon beers: Best Bitter, Challenger IPA, Scott’s 1816 and Golden Pippin. During our visit the Golden Pippin was off. However, I’m sure it was no great loss as the rest of the beers were served at a freezing temperature. The Best also tasted very tired. As a positive, the predominantly young staff were friendly and attentive. Food is available and looks to be based around pub staples. The question of food offers some insight into the clientele: A young lady not being able to find anything she liked on the menu decided to order some in from a local takeaway! Although reasonably busy when we called late Saturday afternoon, the place had a strangely subdued atmosphere. Several picnic benches are next to the canal for fair weather drinking. In short, an adequate watering-hole, but nothing inspiring.