I tried Yorkshire's best cider pub hidden away in Bridlington
With summer around the corner - people will be no doubt flocking to the coastline for a well-earned day out.
One of the main places people will flock to will be Bridlington for sun, sand and sea. Daytrippers, as well as locals, will also be heading towards the watering holes for refreshments.
One of the biggest, and most ironically smallest, pubs in the town is Three B's Micropub. Since starting as a lockdown pub, the former sweatshop turned micropub has become one of the region's best.
With titles such as Yorkshire's best cider pub and other awards from the Campaign for Real Ale, the gamble of opening a pub in all the uncertainty of lockdowns has certainly paid off. Whilst in the area, I popped into the Three B's to see what all the fuss is about.
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From walking in, the pub was kitted out with old tap labels of all the different ales and ciders the place had throughout the years - instantly giving the reassurance that this place knows its beverages. Earlier this month, the pub celebrated its 800th different beer to run through the pipes in a relatively short period of time.
For those wondering, the celebratory tipple was I Don't Know Whether to Laugh or Cry from Three Brothers Brewing Company.
As the word micropub in the name might suggest, snug might be a bit generous, but it only added to the positive experience. With three parties in, the place looked rammed, not that it would take much effort to look busy when it is this small.
As I shuffled towards the bar, the staff gave me a polite "Alright,". Not recognising my face, he asked if I'd like the run-through; four taps, two light, two darker beers and a wider selection of ciders that are shown on a menu card on the tables. My first order was Bullet Tooth Tony from Wilde Child Brewing Company - a refreshing pale ale as I took in more of the surroundings.
I can't remember the last time I've seen a pub openly advertise social events; but it looks as if Three B's are getting a few names down to have a day at Beverley races in the future, as well as proudly displaying six CAMRA awards from the last two years - including said cider offering for the entire county. 90 per cent of their beers have come from God's country, waving the white rose flag with pride.
Rather remarkably, the place had an upstairs. Either this place is like a TARDIS, or it was going to be a even smaller than the main room. If downstairs is designed similarly to a mancave, upstairs is almost definitely the living space, with comfy sofas for me to enjoy my drink and properly examine the abundance of ciders on offer.
An offer of three one-thirds to have a true taster session for £4.50 a board was too good to turn down. I picked out the Mango from Snails Bank Cider Co., Cherry Burst Cider from Barbourne Cider Co. and Strawberry Blonde from Cockeyed Cider. And I threw in a hot homemade hot sausage roll for £1.70 too.
The board came and was marked so I knew which one I would be tasting - in ranking order, I'd go mango, strawberry and cherry to best. All three were still great, but cherry was just too good not to put top. The sausage roll was also an ace little treat to accompany the tasters.
My short venture to the small pub made it clear to see why it's featured heavily in The Good Beer Guide and CAMRA in its lifespan. I can imagine as soon as the summer kicks in as people flock to the promenade and the town fills up, this place will be the first port of call for liquid refreshment for many.