TWO pubs famed for their distinctive beers and bonhomie feature in a new guide drawn up by "experts" in their field.
The Strawbury Duck at Entwistle and the Black Dog, Belmont, which both sell a range of real ales with names to set beer fans frothing at the mouth, are included in "Room at the Inn" the CAMRA guide to good bed and breakfast at real ale pubs.
For Jim Pilkington at The Black Dog this is the latest in a long line of accolades.
Already the pub's reputation is not only simply confined to those in the Bolton area, visitors from Europe are also known to be taken with the many fine features one of which is the rather sumptuous breakfast Jim himself insists on each day. Bacon, eggs, mushrooms, fried potatoes and beans, tea, toast coffee, marmalade, whatever are on offer to the discerning palate.
For £38 a night a couple can enjoy the pub's success...there's even a four poster bed available.
"We seem to be particularly popular with the Swiss and for some odd reason they always end up in the cellar looking at how we keep the beer and how its pumped through the pipes," said Jim who also claims to have one of the cheapest pints for miles available...£1.02 for a pint of Joseph Holt's bitter. Not a million miles away, set in some of the finest scenery for miles is the Strawbury Duck, famed for its cask and guest beers and a great hit with beer fans from as far afield as South Africa and America.
For joint owner Barry Speakman this latest accolade is warmly welcome, yet he feels the quality of the beer is the pub's greatest attribute.
He is however very pleased with the breakfast- served on a sizzling platter which has caused more than the odd comment over the years.
Many visit the pub after a day's walking in the Lancashire hills or simply call in having heard about the pub's reputation from friends or through other guides in which the popular haunt with beer buffs features.
"Room at the Inn"gives details of pubs up and down the country where the practice offering generous hospitality to travellers has not been forgotten.
Editor Jill Adam, said:"Many modern hotels offer high standards of cleanliness and comfort, but this is often in a sanitised environment, with no warmth or charm - and no decent beer !" This view, warmly supported by both Jim and Barry, is often the most quoted comment from guests who enjoy staying in both places overnight because of the quality of accommodation, food and of course, beer.
Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
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