The Woolpack Inn and conjoined Hardknott Brewery are secreted away in the not so well known western dale of the River Esk in Cumbria. It is possible to have a delightful day traveling, firstly, by miniature steam railway, The Ravenglass and Eskdale from the coastal town of Ravenglass through lush, rolling, scenery. Thence by foot from the Dalegarth terminus of the Railway; the terminus appears to leave you stranded in open countryside, however it is a very short walk to the nearest village (Boot). It only requires that you walk one mile to reach the Woolpack from Dalegarth, and if you find the selection of beers too tempting it would be forgivable to make it the object of your walk.If however you wish to work up a good thirst, press on for two more miles and head for the ruins of Hardknott Pass Roman Fort, the view is spectacular to say the least and your reward for a good stretch of the legs.
I sampled the "Light Cascade" from the home brewery and it was correctly described, a very light, clear, hoppy and tangy ale that didn’t stay in the glass too long. Coniston Brewery beer was on offer as well my personal favourite being the "Bluebird" and I cannot argue with the company’s website description: very clean with an excellent dry finish. Moorehouse’s Black Cat was on offer (reviewed previously) but the other local micro brewery "Foxfield" had run out of gas on the day!Guest Post By, Pertinax
