The acclaimed ‘micropub adventures’ has featured five of Lytham St. Anne’s independently owned micropubs in a recent first rate feature.  Scott Spencer has enthusiastically shared not only his first hand experiences and expertise  on the five local venues, but also illustrated his blog with a range of first rate photographs.

Visit https://micropubadventures.co.uk/2023/09/24/24-09-23-st-annes-and-lytham/?fbclid=IwAR37eB4MgfXe3XQfHUaDQug0N7YNxZI_jnGGN1vDyhhmmIJEc-NvSUvhBY0 to enjoy the full illustrated article.

Meanwhile here is a taste of Scott’s excellent blog:

A Sunday afternoon out around St Anne’s and Lytham. An easy jump on the bus from Blackpool or train from Preston heading to Blackpool South. Visited some great independently owned Micropubs, Pubs and Craft Bars in the area. Firstly “The Pier Inn” at St Anne’s, moving onto “Fifteens of St Anne’s”, “Keg N Cask” and “The Hop Shoppe”, before heading to Lytham to visit “The Craft House”.

The Pier Inn

My first call in St Anne’s is to “The Pier Inn”, a micropub which opened in January 2022, located on the square so literally a jump off the bus and into here. Lovely done out front of the pub which stands out from the other shops. A nice clean look inside with ample seating, some by the window where you can watch the world go by. A choice of 5 cask ales on the bar here, from a variety of breweries. I went with “Hop Kitty” from Animal Brewing Co who are based in Aylesbury. A pale ale packed with hops and bursting with tropical and citrus flavours, a really tasty and easy drinking beer.

Fifteens of St Anne’s

A short stroll up the road brings me to my next calling point “Fifteens of St Anne’s”. A great pub which has run lots of awards over the years including West Pennines Pub of the Year 2022 and Lancashire Real Ale Pub of the Year 2022. The building was a former Lloyds Bank, you can still see the logo in the middle of the front window. And a beautifully done out interior with a few seats on a raised level overlooking the bar and seating area. A great selection of beers with 5 cask ales to choose from today. I went with “Headless” from Red Willow Brewery who are based in Macclesfield. A very light and easy drinking beer, slightly hoppy.

Keg N Cask

A short walk around the corner brings me to “Keg N Cask”, a small 2 roomed Micropub which opened in February 2020. Seating also available outside at the front when the weather is nice. Interestingly the bar has a Blue Plaque on the front of the pub. Known as Alpha House, it was built in 1875 and was the first brick house in the new town. It was the Post Office from 1876-1882 then was a shop. A selection of 5 cask ales on the bar alongside cider ands a number of keg lagers. I had 2 beers here from Reedley Hallows Brewing Co based in Burnley. “Free as a Bird” first, a tasty and easy drinking pale ale, followed by “Fily Close Blonde”, a refreshing golden ale.

The Hop Shoppe

Directly over the road next to “The Hop Shoppe”, formerly the Jazz Emporium which expanded at the end of 2021 and became what it is now. A great community craft and real ale bar, with fridges full of cans and bottles to choose from. A really busy bar split into 2 rooms. A great selection of beers on tap here, 16 keg lines to choose from, alongside 4 cask ales and a hand pull cider. A huge range of styles and flavours. I went with 2 sour beers here, the first being “Lil’T”, from Magic Rock Brewing , a delicious Pineapple and Grapefruit Gose. “Even Cloudier DDH Hard Lemonade” was the other, one of Vault City’s Birthday Beers. A double dry hopped hard lemonade, tasty and sour.

A short 15 minute journey on the number 11 bus from St Anne’s to Lytham.

The Craft House

Onto Lytham’s first micropub which opened in the summer of 2016. A really busy and popular micropub with a great atmosphere, which alongside drinks serves a number of Pork Pires and Meat and Cheese boards to enjoy with a drink. Seating outside as well when the weather is warm. 4 cask ales on the bar here, alongside 4 beers and ciders available on keg. Cask ales were from Bowland Brewery and Black Edge Brewery. I went with “Boxer Blonde” from Bowland Brewery, a favourite of mine, a really light and easy drinking blonde ale.