Review: Midland Beer Company

Reporter: Pete Hinchliffe
Date online: 30 October 2010

Midland Beer Company, Manchester Road, Castleton.
Visited 1 September 2010. Weekday lunchtime.

Five customers of the 50-65 age range in. No food on. Clean, reasonably comfortable but unimpressive. Various nitro-keg fonts on including Holt’s Smooth plus three hand pumps.

IPA Green King (Run out)
Dobcross Ale £1.90 (Sampled)
Black Five (Sampled)

The last two beers were from the Greenfield Brewery. Both in reasonable, though not sparkling, form.

The pub seemed friendly enough, though nothing particularly to recommend it. It struck me as a pub that is just 'going through the motions' rather than trying to attract new business or do anything different. This is a pity as Castleton has witnessed so many pub closures in recent years. Pop in if you are in the area but not worth making a special trip for unfortunately. 

Score: 2/5

N.B. Bearing in mind the importance of the heritage agenda and the location of Castleton in relation to the re-opened canal and link with the East Lancs Railway, The Midland Beer Company could easily re-badge itself as a railway/canal themed pub. It works for the 'Head of Steam' chain and the pub is within spitting distance of both canal and railway station. Just a thought.