Chesterfield boasts the county’s oldest micropub in The Real Ale Corner which is the second oldest in the UK. Elsewhere, Derbyshire is brimming with such watering holes where beer made by microbreweries pulls in the customers.
The Micropub Association says: “A micropub is a small freehouse which listens to its customers, many serve cask ales, promotes conversations, shuns all form of electronic entertainment and dabbles in traditional pub snacks.”
Micropubs were championed by real ale consumer organisation CAMRA in its 1976 edition of the Good Beer Guide and have since gone from strength to strength.
9. The Newsroom, Smedley Street, Matlock
Half a dozen craft ales, gin and wine on offer in The Newsroom which was launched in 2018 and opens six days a week, closed on Mondays. The Newsroom scores 4.8 based on 232 Google reviews. John and Andy posted: "Wonderful and superb place. Mark and Allison the perfect hosts. Great beer, great people." Photo: Google
10. The Bankers Tavern, High Street, Alfreton
Approaching its first birthday under a new name, The Bankers Tavern offers three local or regional cask ales alongside a keg vegan and gluten free IPA. This micropub is open six days a week, closed Mondays. The Bankers Tavern scores 5 out of 5 based on 12 Google reviews. Kirsty Evans posted: "Fantastic selection of ciders, larger, real ale and spirits! Clean and dog friendly. " Photo: Google
11. Wicked Pissah, Prospect Street, Alfreton
A real ale and gin bar in an area where there are few pubs open, the Wicked Pissah is a successor to the Prospect Street Micropub and is open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. The trendy name means really awesome but did you know that a variation on the word pissah appears in Shakespeare's tragedy Macbeth? Wicked Pissah scores 4 out of 5 based on seven Google reviews. Nick Russell posted: "Friendly little place, good beer and people." Photo: Google
12. Joiners Arms, Rutland Buildings, Bakewell
Six cask ales, craft keg beers, fine wines and premium spirits have earned the Joiners Arms recognition in the Good Beer Guide 2021 and 2022. Dogs and well behaved kids welcome to visit this micropub which is open every day and has outdoor seating. Joiners Arms scores 4.6 out of 5 based on 379 Google reviews. Bob Huntbach posted: "Great little place to find a good selection of ales, lagers and cider at a reasonable price. Well worth a visit, a very down to earth establishment with friendly staff." Photo: Google