12 Henry Street, Lytham, Lancashire
01253 736226
'There is a passion in this Greene King-owned pub for cask ale, and people come from all over to savour the quality ales we serve, says manager Ian Rigg, who took on the pub 14 years ago with his wife, June, and has won an award for it every year since. The pub has just won the Campaign for Real Ale's branch title, earning it a place in this year's national quarter finals.
As a one-room operation, the pub has a very sociable, unassuming feel, with stained glass decoration in the windows depicting fish and seagulls, reflecting its proximity to the beach. There are bare floorboards and a Victorian-style bar, as well as an expanding collection of rugby memorabilia, such as old photos and portraits of rugby stars on the walls, shove ha'penny, dominoes and a fruit machine. There is no music, jukebox or TV, 'just conversation and good beer, Rigg says, and the occasional sing-along which takes place around the piano in the cosy bar.
Home-made food is served daily from a limited menu, including soup, sandwiches and curries. There is also seating in the back yard, which is known as the 'yard of ale. At Christmas, people can help themselves to roasted chestnuts cooked on the log fire.
Rigg emphasises: 'We don't have any alcopops, our focus is our quality cask ales, for which we have a different beer everyday.
Customers can also make a request for a particular beer by logging on to the pub's website.