Not since the loss of the Ale Cellar in the west end of town along with John Taylor’s retirement in his “Bottled Beer Cavern” of Binns Department on High Row has Darlington being able to offer a shop with an extensive range of bottled beers from local and regional micro breweries.
Well we’re pleased to report the situation has changed !. The waiting was over when “The Crafty Pint” opened for business on Saturday October 13th in Darlington’s Indoor Market (pictured).october 2012The Crafty Pint is the brainchild of John Anderson and Dave Walker, and they came up with the idea based on what they saw as a “gap in the market”. The real ale scene is nothing new to them; John is a CAMRA member and also a Darlington Traditional Brewing Group member. These are a group of craft brewers based in Darlington and the surrounding area who brew in backyards, kitchens and sheds on a five or ten gallon scale using the “Full Mash” process.
Currently The Crafty Pint is stocks an excellent range of bottled beers from Yorkshire breweries including Hop Studio from Elvington near York, Mallinsons in Huddersfield, Revolutions at Castleford plus Walls Brewery in Northallerton and breweries from further afield such as Hardknott in Cumbria, Redwillow in Cheshire and Thornbridge in Derbyshire. Not forgetting the cider and perry lovers, John has also allocated space on the shelves for a number of interesting ciders and perries.
The official opening of the shop takes place on Saturday 1st December and a couple of real ales from Wall's and Mithril Ales will be on draught will be available during the day. The Northern Echo's, Mike Amos will be officially opening the shop at around 11.30am.
Our best wishes go to The Crafty Pint as a bottled beer shop in Darlington and hopefully it will be third time lucky !. For further details contact John on 07804 305175 or visit their website at www.thecraftypint.co.uk
(write up courtesy of Ian Jackson from Darlington CAMRA website)
