Rat Race Ale House If you are in the North East of England, Hartlepool is 45 minutes on the train from Newcastle. Chick on the link above because it's opening hours are not all day, everyday. This was recommended to me a year ago and since I do a festive Newcastle visit every year, I thought that I would take a train and have a look. I think that I made the right decision. I was there on a Wednesday for the 12:00 to 14:00 lunch time opening.
The Rat Race is run by Peter Morgan and having now been there, I can say it's a must visit. He is friendly, welcoming and really knows his beers. He also has a number of bottled Belgian beers and they are very affordable.
So, what's it like? First of all it's small and being so small it doesn't have a bar. It's a tap after all. I didn't notice the astro turf until someone mentioned it. It's clean and more of a shrine to quality ales. If only it was in the South Wales. Two ales, one Belgian and a Rat Race Polo, if only I had more time.
Wonderful. I'll be back there in December 2014.