Following long negotiations with the local council, there’s now seating out the front, too, itself a colourful addition to the townscape with its witty artwork.
Something for everyone
Aiming to provide something for everyone, a range of five cask and 10 craft beers on draught are served from its tiny bar, attracting a crowd diverse in age and gender and creating a great community feel. It’s one of those pubs you walk into and immediately feel like one of the regulars.
Draught Bass has recently joined the line-up as a permanent cask line, alongside Black Sheep Best Bitter, leaving scope for the remaining pumps to be more adventurous. Don’t be surprised to find a modern pale, a porter or even an American Brown Ale pouring.
The craft keg lines are just as varied, always including a wheat beer, a sour and a gluten-free option, plus cutting-edge pales from the likes of Deya, Siren and Abbeydale, and Anspach & Hobday’s London Black for the stout drinker.
High standards
A small, enthusiastic team, led by experienced manager Sarah Ainsworth, are kept up to speed on the range via a WhatsApp group, and everyone sets high standards for cleanliness and quality.
Nor are the Ogleys content with their progress so far. Regular customers are incited to visit more frequently thanks to a digital loyalty scheme while Blind Jack’s has also been instrumental in setting up an ale trail for Knaresborough that brings in the beer tourists.
The only problem is lack of space – but look out for this fast-growing business finding an extra room in the months ahead.
