I cannot even pretend that I am a subscriber to Esquire, nor to any other `quality` Gentleman`s magazine, but a recent article therein caught my attention via the world wide web. The Dronfield boozer made the honour roll in Esquire`s `Ten of the Best Proper Pubs` which is quite a call and worthy of investigation.
The Coach is a neat little drinking spot on the A61 into Dronfield just over the border from Sheffield and it was Thornbridge`s first pub, I believe. Now one of many similar outlets, it is notable for being the only one under the wings of the Bakewell brewers and adjacent to the World`s Oldest Football Club. For these two geeks, it was the place that we fell in love with real ale and developed a thirst for Jaipur, although that influential IPA has evolved (dissolved?) somewhat since then.
5 or 6 years ago, this was my personal favourite `Sheffield` pub and I still pop in regularly before, during and after watching Sheffield FC (aka Club) play; the ground is so close that you can nip in for half-time refreshments and not miss a kick, at least if you can sup as quick as me!
Recently, the Coach had a bit of a refurb and has started doing food again. Beer tends to be almost solely Thornbridge although there are occasional guests plus a cider and a decent range of bottles. A year or two ago, the guest ales were of the quality of Fyne and Magic Rock but now your best bet is to hope for a new release from Bakewell plus the Kipling is usually very good too. As with most Thornbridge pubs, the staff are usually very helpful and often quite knowledgeable.
The Coach and Horses is still a great little drinking spot but they must be delighted to have made the honour roll in the self-acclaimed `Smart Man`s Guide to the Best in Style, Food, Gear . . . but you have to wonder how often these experts venture out the Big Smoke!
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