My first taste of the micropub experience
TINY DRINKING SPOT IN HEART OF TOWN
BLINK and you might miss the micropub that is Chequers in the heart of Beverley.
For those who follow the CAMRA awards - the Campaign for Real Ale - the pub’s name is always spoken in high regard among beer connoisseurs. Since opening in 2013, it has amassed an impressive ten accolades from the Hull and East Yorkshire branch of the organisation.
In the latest round of awards, Chequers came runner-up to The Centurion Arms, in Brough, for East Yorkshire Town Pub Of The Year 2023, having been described as “Yorkshire’s first self-styled micropub”. For this reason, I decided to spend an hour there and try out the experience.
In Swabys Yard venue, the double-sided menu had plenty of different ales, ciders and stouts, as the cheerful staff member who was seemingly single-handedly running the pub gave me the low-down on the options. I settled on the Lemon Tasty Rainbow Sour from Vault City Brewing - it was my first time trying this, and it went down nicely.
One room split into two floors, and there were a few people conversing with each other. They appeared to be regulars as the staff were on first-name terms with every one of them, highlighting the friendliness of the place. Some people were discussing other real ale pubs in the Hull area, as well as further afield in the likes of York. It
gave a real village pub feel as everyone sat around chatting to each other, while their dogs had a nap under the table.
Despite being called “Yorkshire’s first self-styled micropub”, the inside felt surprisingly roomy despite the deceiving exterior - similar to a Tardis. While it’s still snug, the clever seating arrangement means that there is plenty of chance for people to take a seat.
Although I don’t visit Beverley socially that often, Chequers will be one of the first places I’d visit in the future. The passionate staff and customers seem like great company, as well as being incredibly helpful when it comes to picking the best brews.