Grants Bar, Accrington

An imposing stone building looking a bit like a posh hotel, entering doesn’t dispel that impression with thick carpets and posher matching furniture, the dog leg counter to the right in its own space continues the image with six shiny pulls, a collection of seven national kegs on solos and on the other counter face a horseshoe of eight more. However on closer inspection all the casks are from Big Clock Brewing, yes you’ve stumbled on their brewery tap and indeed brewery. Honey seemed to play a big part in the beer descriptions so I stuck with a Blonde, a bit wishy washy and flat I can’t say I liked it. There were also two bitters, two Blondes with Honey and a Honey Stout. Behind the bar you can glimpse brewing vessels and a pizza oven sharing the same space, possibly not a great idea, garlicky, pizzary smells do pervade the gaff. The main room décor is more in keeping with a brewery tap and there are a couple of big clocks. Rather posh for a northern town brewery tap but probably worth a visit, Accrington is small and quite friendly.

Official site of Grants Bar - www.grantsbar.co.uk

Official site of Grants Bar - www.grantsbar.co.uk

As Al says, a bit hideous but excellent beer range. I'm not sure I could stand being here for long enough to go through the whole range, but perhaps that's not the point anyway. I was here for Luton Town's game at the Crown Ground on the other side of town. Called in for a half, then met some mates in the nearby Abbey and returned here with them; after the match I had time for a swift half on the way to the station and called in here again (ok, it's not really on the way to the station), so the décor can't be too off-putting. I had Big Clock Bitter & Twisted on my first two visits and the 7.6% stout, which is called Ghost, in celebration of our last-minute equaliser. I'll be back next season if both teams are in the same division. Date of visit: 8th August 2015