Brewing up a treat – why The Hop Vine in Burscough is one in a million
IT has been a while since I visited The Hop Vine, so I took the train try it out, writes Neville Grundy.
The hostelry is unique locally in that it has its own brewery behind the pub, Burscough Brewing Company, which produced its millionth pint last June.
When I visited, the pub was very busy with both drinkers and diners – this is a pub that successfully caters for both.
The Hop Vine is very attractively decorated and in the drinking area there are barrels as tables and a fireplace with a wooden surround.
I found the busy bar staff to be friendly and helpful.
First the real ales: Hop Vine Bitter at £2.60 a pint; Burscough Mere Blonde; Timothy Taylor’s Landlord; Epic IPA; Camel Town IPA; and Oasis Stout.
The Camel Town IPA is brewed on site and the name is derived from the old CB radio name for Burscough, Camel Town, a reference to the two hump bridges in the town over the railway and the canal.
At 5.5%, it is deceptively drinkable.
Two craft beers were on offer: Tiny Rebel Cwtch, which in its cask form was crowned CAMRA’s Champion Beer of Britain, and Lucky Jack.
All the beers I tried were in good form.
This pub is well-known for its food, and has a very extensive menu as well as an extensive list of specials.
I asked a woman who was confirming a group booking for a Christmas meal (she had made the provisional booking last January) what she thought of the food, and she had nothing but praise.
Food is available daily between midday and 2pm and 6pm and 8.30pm, except Sunday when it’s midday to 8.30pm.
Quiz night is Tuesday and there’s live music on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
A gents club-style new function suite upstairs is available for bookings.
The pub has disabled access, beer garden, car park, free WiFi and welcomes children.
The Hop Vine is on Liverpool Road North, Burscough, L40 4BY, three minutes walk from Burscough Bridge Station. Tel: 01704 893799.
Website is www.thehopvine.co.uk, and the pub is also on Facebook.
The next Southport and West Lancs CAMRA meeting is in the Zetland Hotel, Southport, on Wednesday, November 9, at 8pm, and interested non-members are welcome.
Our website is at: www. southport.camra.org.uk.
For previous CAMRA pub reviews in this paper, go to: tinyurl.com/vis-pubs.