CAMRA name The Vaults as best Bolton pub in town

A PUB in the Market Place Shopping Centre has been named the best of the season.

The Bolton branch of the Campaign For Real Ale (Camra) named Great Ale at The Vaults the top pub in the town this winter.

The presentation was made by Bolton Camra chairman Graham Walsh, who handed over the framed certificate to bartenders Calum VanDieman and Harry Foster.

Members of the group vote to decide which pub should receive the award.
For more information on Bolton Camra, go to bolton.camra.org.uk

http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/15924549.Bolton_Camra_names_pub_of_the_season/?ref=mr&lp=10


The bloke in the comments section however points out that it's beer might be the best but it isn't a community pub -

Well done the vaults, But the pub of the year is not the beer, they sell the same beers available anywhere. They close early, have no hot food , no darts team, no dominos, darts, pool, quiz league, weekend entertainment, that most community pubs (local) pubs have. Beer of the year yes, Pub of the year no.



I guess if all you are doing though is popping for a quick one whilst shopping or after work, the beer is what you really are after.

I used to like the Millstone when I was taking a break from shopping - but that was forty odd years ago - anybody got any town centre pubs they would recommend these days?

Bunburys would have had my vote if we are talking just bolton.

I have to say one of my locals, the kings Arms (used to be the Canary) has as good a selection of bitter as anywhere in Bolton, and for 2.40 a go you can't go wrong. They usually have Titanics plum porter on which is a wonderful pint.

Bunbury's is great, went in a few months ago on a visit back to Bolton and enjoyed it.

Norpig wrote:Bunbury's is great, went in a few months ago on a visit back to Bolton and enjoyed it.

Where is this pub?

karlypants wrote:

Norpig wrote:Bunbury's is great, went in a few months ago on a visit back to Bolton and enjoyed it.

Where is this pub?

Chorley old road,I think.

Yeah chorley old near A1 chippy. Very easy to miss if you don't know its there.

boltonbonce wrote:

karlypants wrote:

Norpig wrote:Bunbury's is great, went in a few months ago on a visit back to Bolton and enjoyed it.

Where is this pub?

Chorley old road,I think.

Oh! I think I know which one it is.

It's a small pub where you can buy the booze to take out as well?

karlypants wrote:

boltonbonce wrote:

karlypants wrote:

Norpig wrote:Bunbury's is great, went in a few months ago on a visit back to Bolton and enjoyed it.

Where is this pub?

Chorley old road,I think.

Oh! I think I know which one it is.

It's a small pub where you can buy the booze to take out as well?

Thats the one KP, it doesn't really look like a pub, more a shop but if you love craft beers like i do then you can't go wrong in there.

I went in a similar place in Westhoughton last weekend. Had a bottle of bourbon barrel aged Stout that was 11%. Had to sip that one but very nice.

Great Ale at the Vaults is a great little bar that serves fantastic craft ales and it is ever changing on at least 3 pumps.  They also specialise in some Australian beers, especially as the owner, Steve, is Australian.

They have a monthly Quiz Night, and have live music most Sundays between 230pm and 4pm, as well as special treats such as Thursday evening between 5pm and 10pm is 2 cocktails for £8.00.  Also a weekly competition to win cinema tickets (which I have previously won).

Also their main bar manager, Kyle, is well and truly clued up on all the craft beers and has plenty of knowledge to give, and always seems to be visiting the various local beer festivals and often trying to bring in new beers that hasn't been sold elsewhere - some are great whilst others are, putting it politely, have a definitive taste.

To be fair Steve and Anne have been successful as they have their Great Ales in the Market, this one in The Vaults at The Market Place and are opening up a third bar in Tydesley (near Higher Green).

Not forgetting that Amos's posts are sponsored by the owner and manager of -

Purely my opinion, Vaults serves over priced and average ale. It's a bar for the arty fartys who are going for a Nandos or a Prezzos pre drink.
Now I've been a member of CAMRA, the RA stands for real ale,  for many years and there's no way that place can hold a candle ale wise to Scythe, Barristers, Hogwarts or Churchgate for that matter.
Purely my opinion.
Unfortunately neither of the Bank Top or Black Edge establishments are within striking distance of town.
Bunburys is on my bucket list, I've heard very positive reports from folk who's opinions I respect.

I don't know black edge. Tell me more?

Blackedge are a brewery based in Horwich behind the Crown. They have their own upstairs lounge where you can sample their delights. You see their wonderful ales in some most unexpected places. 
Ale tasting, as cheese, wine and music, is a personal thing.

boltonbonce wrote:

karlypants wrote:

Norpig wrote:Bunbury's is great, went in a few months ago on a visit back to Bolton and enjoyed it.

Where is this pub?

Chorley old road,I think.

Bunbury used to be my name on the Mavis website for many years.

Has anyone tried Nook & Cranny in Bromley Cross, yet?

Thinking of going on my next couple of days off.