Arkwright Arms, Chesterfield

My first visit to the Arkwright Arms since the depredations of the Covid-19 pandemic. A quick comparison between the 13 live beers I counted in 2012 and the six hand pumps (one without a pump clip) suggests that things are quieter, but I didn't make a note of any "craft" keg offerings, which may have taken up some of the slack. Perhaps I should go back and check. I went for a pale beer called Joker (made with the hops called jester) from the very reliable Whim Ales in the Peak District; it was very good (NBSS 3.5) and still under £4 a pint. My notes made at the time riff on the "dog friendliness" of the pub. A madly hyper dog came in with its equally badly trained human, and started barking at everything, to the bewilderment of two calm dogs who were watching quietly with raised eyebrows. Those two got a tickle behind the ears from their humans. Date of visit: 2nd July 2023

Called in this 2016 Good Beer Guide pub on a CAMRA coach tour, and had a wander round the 2 well appointed bars as it is over 10 years since I was last here. Breweries featured were Newby Wyke, New-K-Ham, Shugborough, Greene King, Whim, North Yorkshire, Kings Clipstone, Raw and Welbeck Abbey and we managed 3 excellently kept ales in the time we were there. There is also a good selection of ciders and a board gives tasting notes for all beers and ciders.