The Cornerhouse, Beverley

A Black Sheep branded outlet on a main junction but you'll only find one of their beers on over the plethora of handpumps. I think there were 15 (!) with around 12 ales and the rest ciders. The selection tends to major on national and regional brands, with GK IPA, Doom Bar and Timothy Taylor Landlord spotted. Four more off the wall choices in Abbeydale, Tim Taylor Porter, Box Steam and Almasty Oatmeal Stout. Unfortunately my Taylor's Porter was flat and had a distinct feel of an aged beer aspiratored beyond normal life. It was quite quiet and I noted that turnover on the ales was slow with most of the punters on keg, perhaps unsurprising given the heat outside. The interior has a rustic feel with bare boards and slate flooring, along with third length whitewashed wood panelling, Farrow & Ball shades and bench seating. I decided not to chance another substandard and moved on. I’d give it another go – surely with all that ale on they must shift it in and around 72 hours each barrel…right?

Modernised interior of an old pub, split level at front, the lower part is L shaped with the counter in the long arm along the front of building, 14 hand pulls - not all in use and it's a mix of macro/micro fortunately mainly micro. decorated in a mix of modern and traditional styles, it's sort of trad' but not so much as to scare the youngsters or alienate the oldies. Young staff but mainly 30-40 something customers on an afternoon plus a couple of oldsters like me. It always does Black Sheep Bitter, Timothy Taylors Landlord, Greene King IPA & Abbeydale Deception with 5 guests when I called. There's a fairly interesting but not pretentious or too pricey menu available.

We were less impressed than other reviewers with our visit to The Cornerhouse: too many ordinary beers, and all the guests were pale and featured New World hops - which I know will have some of you salivating at the thought, but they just don't float our boat. There were 12 hand pumps, two for cider and nine real ales: Black Sheep Bitter, Timothy Taylor Landlord, Greene King IPA and Abbeydale Deception are regulars, and the five guests were three from Abbeydale all tasting of lemon and two others which were pale or golden and featured American hops. My pint of Black Sheep was fine, but I would have hoped for a wider range of beer styles over nine hand pumps. Date of visit: 30th July 2016