Situational Sups #2 - Kipling by Thornbridge @ The Coach & Horses, Dronfield

You know the drill. Right time, right place `n` a reyt pint. A beer that hits the spot and, inevitably, demands that you have another. Sometimes these are a pleasant surprise or, as in this case, they might be one of the foundations that your drinking depends upon.

Kipling at the Coach is nonpareil. This place was the original Thornbridge tap house and, I think, is the only one they have that is not in Sheffield. Thankfully, Dronfield is literally a stone's throw from the Republic though and the Coach & Horses is a convenient stop on the 43 bus (runs betwixt civilisation and Chez Vegas) alongside the Sheffield FC football ground.

 Both us beer geeks developed a love of modern British beers supping the esteemed Jaipur here nearly ten years ago but Thornbridge have many more strings to their bow these days. Recent delights here have included Cocoa Wonderland (a chocolate porter), Trek Drop (liquorice stout) and Charlie Brown which is a peanut butter beer. On cask, keg or bottle you will find something at the Coach and Horses to tickle your taste buds but you`ll have to sample a few to beat this South Pacific beauty. Post-Kipling, you could do worse than seek out the Halcyon, another Bakewell stalwart and it`s quite often on keg here on Sheffield Road.

The Kipling here is very reliable, consistently well-kept, but still at it's very best when served at it's freshest. The citrus aroma is always inviting, kiwis and mebbe mango on top of freshly-cut grass, and the beautiful balance of Kipling makes it one of the most quaffable beers of 5%+ that I have ever had the honour of imbibing. The Nelson Sauvin hops here provide thatfull-mouthed fruitiness backed by a long-lasting smooth bitterness. Yum. More.

 

The service at the Coach is always top notch too with manager James making everyone welcome in this cosy pub even when it's busy post-match with supporters from the World's oldest football club.
Go to the Coach & Horses, watch Sheffield FC (you could even grab a cheeky half-time beer) and then get back on the 43. Is there a connection to the South Pacific at the interchange?!