The FlyBoat, Huddersfield

The Flyboat is a little pub behind the student accommodation at Aspley, From its location you would expect it to be crammed with students, however the student population seems to respectfully leave it be.
The pub itself is small and cosy but it can be quite intimidating on first wandering because it is quite a 'local' pub but the regulars and the landlord are very friendly, the pub is part of the Huddersfield Pool League and such possesses a high quality pool table for the very reasonable price of 50p per game.
The pub is decorated with pictures of Huddersfield's varied history which makes for a very interesting slow wander around, pint in hand.

The Flyboat is not considered part of the Huddersfield Ale Scene, partly because of its location and its lack of guest ales, it does however maintain Tetley's Cask Bitter and Mild superbly and a bad pint of either of these in this pub is almost unheard of.
A regular quiz night with a free supper also takes place on a Thursday at 9.50pm.
The pub is open from 5 in the evenings and all day at the weekends and worth a visit if you are that end of town.

The Flyboat
Colne street
Aspley
Huddersfield
West Yorkshire
HD1 3BS

Head of Steam, Huddersfield

The Head of Steam is part of a small chain of pubs with a couple of locations around the country including Huddersfield, Liverpool and the North East. The Huddersfield Pub is located next to Huddersfield Train Station on St George's Square. If you are approaching the station it is to the left, if you are getting off a train it is along Platform 1 just before Platform 2.
The pub itself is split into four. The backrooms are for dining and the front rooms are mainly for drinking but food can be eaten there. The pubs interior consists of old produce signs and railway memorabilia which adds superbly to the character of the place, in one of the rooms there is also some very comfy leather sofas which are perfect for lounging with a pint whilst waiting for a train.
The pub is a fixture on the Huddersfield ale scene with about 8 rotating beers and a couple of ciders available. The beer prices have gotten expensive recently with some beers nudging £3 a pint which I think is quite expensive for a West Yorkshire pub and considering the other Huddersfield Rail Station pub, The King's Head, possesses an average beer price of about £2.20. Beer prices aside, they are kept in excellent condition and I have yet to have a bad pint in there.
The food available in the Head of Steam is very very good for pub grub, all food is homemade with fresh local ingredients and cooked to order, (if you are waiting for a train, tell them and they will try to speed your order up for you).
On a recent visit, me and friend of mine decided to pop in to get a beer and some food, we each ordered the 'Steam Special Burger' which consisted of a double burger, bacon, cheese, large flat mushroom, onion rings, salad and homemade chunky chips for a grand total of £6.45 each.

As you can see from the picture it was huge. the burger was very juicy and the chips were perfectly cooked, crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. It was very good value for money. The rest of the menu is standard pub fare (I recommend the steak and ale pie as well, delcious)
It is well worth a stop over in Huddersfield or to chill out whilst waiting for a train, or just for a drink or a meal in a very friendly pub.

The Star Inn Summer Beer Festival, Huddersfield

Another personal favourite pub of mine in Huddersfield is the Star Inn at Folly Hall. The Star is a traditional styled pub, welcoming atmosphere, wooden beams, log fire and an interesting collection of old and new beer posters framed on the walls. The pub usually as about 9 rotating guest ales on at anyone time each in superbly kept condition. The pub is free from the current infestation of good pubs which consist of jukeboxes, game machines and televisions leaving just the noise of fellow drinkers and the occasional barking from Folly the pub dog which adds to the charm of the place.
A friend of mine who accompanied me on a recent visit made an obscure but strangely appropriate comment whilst looking at the ceiling lights that had several blown bulbs, he stated that he liked the fact that they hadn't been replaced because you can tell that the pub concentrates more on its beer than the features and fittings, I kind of agree with him.

4 times a year, the Star hosts its own beer festival. This time around it was it's summer (obviously) beer festival held in its own marquee at the back of the pub.
The festival runs for 5 days (Wed till Sunday) although there usually isn't much left on the Sunday. The festival hosts 46 beers in the marquee and 9 changing beers in the actual pub. Food is available alongside local produce such as cakes, honey, cheese and more beer in bottle form which I unfortunately didn't get to try due to the fact I had spent all my money on beer tokens for the festival.



Beer of festival went to local brewer Mallinsons with Blue Sky Dreaming, 3.7%. I sampled this on Saturday and found it to be a very tasty, easy drinking, hoppy beer. It wasn't however my personal favourite.
My beer of the festival would be a tie between Honey Blonde 4.5% from the Liverpool Organic Brewery, a delicious golden honey beer and Kitty Wilkinson 4.5% again from the Liverpool Organic Brewery, a very rich vanilla and chocolate porter both of these were in my opinion stunning beers.
All in all after several visits I can conclude that Sam and the team at the Star have again provided an excellent festival, roll on autumn for the next one.