Grants Bar, Accrington

What a set of contrasts. The inside is a bit hideous but sod that the beer range is excellent (if you like Big Clock beers that is). 10 handpumps serving 8 of their beers plus 2 ciders. Real ale wise Accrington is a bit dull but give this place its due. Up the far end if you're looking for it.

This grand building has stood here for 200 years or so and was formerly called The Hargreaves after the local inventor James Hargreaves who gave us the Spinning Jenny.When Punch Taverns closed the pub in 2009 the present landlord gave the pub a full refurbishment including an upstairs function room.The smart makeover as a modern décor look with leather seating smart furnishings and spacious drinking areas. Last year a new micro brewery was opened on the premises called The Big Clock Brewery making it Accrington's only brewery with the last closing in 2004.There is a room to the right of the entrance where you can sit at the bar on unusual bar seats and view the working brewery. Called in on a Saturday lunchtime and discovered an interesting display of 7 cask beers plus I cider.The beers were Gold Digger from the Bank Top Brewery,Lancaster Red,Sunshine pale from the Rossendale Brewery,Prospect Hopper plus Headless Pig and Pheasant Plucker from the Bowland Brewery. At the moment The only one from The Big Clock Brewery was Dirty Blonde.There was also Westons Cloudy Cider (7.3%)at 3.20p a pint while all the others were all £2.40p a pint. The Landlady(or barmaid)was very chatty and friendly and was very knowledgeable concerning the beers,and let me sample the beer before buying.Tried the Headless Pig and there own Dirty Blonde both of which were in good condition.Will certainly call in again and id definitely worth the short walk from the town centre.