The Cloisters

Cloisters has been a magnet for discerning beer monsters since it opened in the late 1990s. Housed in a former parsonage – St Michael’s & All Saints Church is adjacent – the interior has an open fire, the odd pew, mirrors and little ostentation; the stars of the show are behind the bar. There are nine real ales on tap from breweries like Cairngorm, Highland and Stewart in Scotland – also Allgates, Green Jack or the Moor Beer Company down south. The single-malt whisky choice is 70 strong and new arrivals – a Glenkinchie from an amontillado cask perhaps – are chalked up on a blackboard, while there are also some good rums and bottled beers. The bar menu operates at lunchtimes and midweek evenings, with beer as an ingredient in dishes like haddock & chips, Goldeneye Pale Ale in the batter, or roasted pork belly on mash & black pudding with Brewdog Punk IPA sauce.