Shepherds Rest (Ossett)

This pub is a bit of a climb up the hill towards Halifax if you’re coming from Sowerby Bridge town centre, but it’s certainly worth it given the range of ales available - the bonus is it’s downhill once you’ve sampled a few of them. There’s plenty of choice with ale pumps on three sides of the centrally placed bar serving predominantly Ossett brewery and its smaller owned microbreweries’ ales, but it does include a few guests as well to mix it up a bit. It’s a two roomed affair with an large archway separating both sides rather than any defined partition and a beer garden at the rear and comfortably furnished and decorated.

We had a bit of trouble finding the Shepherds Rest but it was worth the effort. It was a dark, damp afternoon and the pub is an unassuming looking street corner local leaning into the side of the hill as you go out of town towards Halifax. Inside it’s homely and welcoming, with almost as many dogs as people. The walls are oxblood red and there’s subdued lighting, a brick fireplace and a cosy snug through a brick arch. The beer selection isn’t bad either. As well as five Ossett beers (it’s an Ossett Brewery pub) there were three guests and a cider when we visited. We’ll be back – and, now we know where it is, it should be easy to find next time. (Visited 26 December 2012).