 It's better inside, honest Head of Steam: St. George's Square. As seen on Oz and James Transpennine Express pub crawl! The Head of Steam chain (www.headofsteam.co.uk) is a small pub co, (currently five outlets, having sold the Euston Flyer a few years back to Fullers), that runs real ale establishments close to or even in railway stations. Three different sections, there's something for everybody, including tea and cake for Mum. |
The Huddersfield version for the real ale boys has ten handpumps with the house regulars three or so from Black Sheep Best Bitter, Caledonian Deuchars IPA, Samuel Smith Old Brewery Bitter, Camerons Best Bitter or Twaites Mild, with the rest made up from guests, generally specialising in small independent breweries.
There's a separate bar for the lads where there's Stella Artois, Budweiser Budvar Budweiser, Kronenbourg, San Miguel, Heineken, Liefmans Kriek, Fosters; and even a real lager, Harviestoun Schiehallion! Their Guinness is brought over from the Dublin brewery not up from the London one. The draught cider is the pretty bland Stowford Press, but if you ask they sometimes have something rather better in a cask behind the bar. For those into Belgian bottled beers, especially of the Trappist Monasteries, these pubs are a bit of a Mecca (to mix our religions). TV but no Sky when last there. Food is served.
There's a separate bar for the lads where there's Stella Artois, Budweiser Budvar Budweiser, Kronenbourg, San Miguel, Heineken, Liefmans Kriek, Fosters; and even a real lager, Harviestoun Schiehallion! Their Guinness is brought over from the Dublin brewery not up from the London one. The draught cider is the pretty bland Stowford Press, but if you ask they sometimes have something rather better in a cask behind the bar. For those into Belgian bottled beers, especially of the Trappist Monasteries, these pubs are a bit of a Mecca (to mix our religions). TV but no Sky when last there. Food is served.
Thoroughly recommended and remember, Huddersfield station is a mere 15-20 minute walk away from the Galpharm Stadium, so you don't even have to leave until 14.40!
King's Head: St. George's Square.
Not one but two pubs can be found in Huddersfield station - see Head of Steam above. This one was previously called the Station Tavern but has recently reverted to an earlier name. Beers vary continuously, with up ten real ales on at any one time. Food served, very limited parking, TV and a piano!
The Rail/Coach Station, Head of Steam, King's Head: Bottom left, all around the blue blob. The Ground: Top right, off St. Andrews Road.
Rat and Ratchet: 40,Chapel Hill.
This was a brew pub, but in 2004 the brewing plant was sold off separately to a pub in Nuneaton, and the pub itself bought by the local independent Ossett Brewery (www.ossett-brewery.co.uk) as one of its seven tied outlets.
No longer the biggest choice of real ales in the area but still an impressive dozen hand pumps, it carries up to five of Ossett's own beers, Timothy Taylor Landlord, and around six guests. A real cider, porter and mild are always on. To be found on the south side of the town centre, close to the railway station and with its own parking. Food served.
Cherry Tree: Pearl Assurance House, 16-18, John William Street.
Huddersfield's Wetherspoon outlet in the centre of town. One of the better examples of the ilk, with the usual house beers of that chain but also up to seven guest beers, often from local breweries, and two ciders. Very large pub that takes up most of the ground floor of a Seventies looking office block - and styled internally in a similar fashion.
Rat and Ratchet: Bottom left, side of Milford St. Cherry Tree: Top left, left of Wood St.
A pint and a bet during the game!
There is also a Ladbrokes outlet and a bar serving alcoholic drinks at the back of the stand in the away end, which if events are going pear-shaped on the pitch, (or we're four up after thirty minutes), you can always escape to, as the bar remains open during the first half and half time! Sadly, they've stopped serving draught Guinness.
Driving In
You've still got a bit of driving to do so only a half now
White Cross Inn: 2, Bradley Road, Bradley.
North-eastern outskirts of Huddersfield, on the junction of the Leeds Road (A62) and Bradley Road for those who prefer venues out of town.
If leaving the M62 at Junction 25 you'll pass this pub on the journey in to the ground. There is parking available.
House beers are Copper Dragon Black Gold and Taylor Golden Best, with up to four additional guests. Has an annual beer festival, sadly in February, but you can play pool anytime.
White Cross Inn: Bottom left, the A6107 is Bradley Rd., the pub at the bottom of upper quarry rd., the ground, down Leeds Rd.
(Many thanks to those hardened drinkers at www.ciderspace.co.uk for their help with this article.)