East Lancashire is blessed with many fine, traditional, real ale pubs - and the Pendle Inn at Barley, is one of the area’s premier watering holes.
It never fails to impress - especially if you are looking for choice and quality in cask conditioned ales.
This popular pub has been run for the last five years by Keiron Marshall, a local lad, who has certainly seen a change in our drinking habits, during his five year tenure.
Keiron explained: “ When I commenced running the pub, we only had two cask ales on - we now have six - and we are thinking about a seventh. It just proves how popular cask ales have become, in recent years.”
The pub is always keen to promote ales from local brewers - and on my visit there was a fine example of this. Two permanent Moorhouse’s beers and one from Burnley micro-brewer, Reedley Hallows. Other regulars on the bar, were Worsthorne, Prospect from Standish and Bolton based, Bank Top.
The beer was in tip-top condition, served up by Helen, a most pleasant, helpful and affable member of the bar staff.
It was getting busy, with people ordering food and gazing at the selection of ales on offer.
Keiron said: “We get a really nice cross-section of customers. The pub is very popular with walkers.One group of ‘regulars’ love our ales so much - they try all the six beers - pints, not half’s,too!
“They make sure their cards are stamped - as we do a ‘buy ten pints and get one free’ offer - which equates to a saving of 30p a pint. We also do a 10p discount for CAMRA members.”
I will certainly drink to that, Keiron!
Yes, the Pendle Inn is one, cracking pub. Good atmosphere, welcoming, efficient staff and customers, ever willing to have a friendly chat.
I will return soon - that’s for sure.