There were a couple of countryside beer destinations near to Manchester that I had in mind when I started the Beer Walks series. These have become regular destinations for Kate and I when we fancy a bit of fresh air, a stretch of our legs and a couple of tasty beers to sample. One of these is Zapato Brewery Tap. Located halfway between Marsden and Slaithwaite stations along the Huddersfield Narrow Canal towpath and surrounded by hills offering stunning Yorkshire views, this small brewing outfit is positioned perfectly for a walking day out by train.
We’ve had a fair few days out in this area which have featured a stop-off at Zapato afterwards. One we do often is this Deer Hill circular ramble from the National Trust site. Another time, when we wanted a big beery day out, we dropped in at Zapato on a canalside walk all the way to Huddersfield, ending at Magic Rock. However, on this occasion, we decide to head out in a new direction from Marsden station towards March Haigh Reservoir on a route we’ve not taken before.
The Walk
We start out along the canal path towards Standedge Tunnel. On approach, we learn from signage that this is the longest canal tunnel in the UK, running under Standedge Moor for 5km. Once we reach the visitor centre, we join Waters Road until we eventually find the footpath which leads up to the moor via Eastergate Bridge. Here, a few other walkers are picnicking. With the usual polite greetings uttered, we are then over the bridge and take the long straight packhorse route up and over the hilltop. The flagstone path offers dramatic open views of the moor on this bracing, grey February afternoon.
The route is muddy and a little treacherous in parts with running water. I totally misjudge this on one occasion, stepping on a rock that is anchored less solidly than it appears and soaking both feet for the rest of the day.
Eventually we take a sharp right turn to head down towards the reservoir, finding a straight, flat stroll across one edge with views across the flat surface of the water.
We then turn around to head back towards Marsden, across the moorland again but along the opposite side of the Haigh Clough ravine. Eventually we rejoin Waters Road and get ourselves back onto the canal path. After around 2 hours, our step is quickened by the prospect of beer and food.
Zapato Brewery Tap
Zapato resides in a small business park in Holme Mill Cottages, which also features artisan coffee roasters Dark Woods next door. On approach to the taproom, the first thing you see is the large garden space with plenty of outside seating, some of which is covered.
This is a truly idyllic space in the summer to enjoy a cold pint by the riverside and it’s just about warm enough to sit outside when wrapped up this afternoon. For this, we can be thankful, as inside the place is rammed with families and walkers who made it in before the mid-afternoon peak.
The bar area was expanded and refurbed during the pandemic, which led to the team uncovering some gorgeous original features of this Victorian mill building, including some very stylish glass panes above the bar. It’s a chic yet homely destination for locals and visitors alike which makes the most of the building’s heritage.
Memorabilia on the walls inside pay homage to the owners’ favourite beer, Belgian Trappist favourite Orval, so it’s only fitting then that one of our first beers is Franck, Zapato’s take on a Belgian pale. Having ordered, Kate and I note how friendly the staff are – we’ve been made to feel really welcome with a chat and a smile every time we’ve visited this place.
To accompany our beers, we order jollof rice and chicken from Kellewelle, one of the rotating street food traders that take up residence at the tap each weekend. By the time our food is ready, we’re able to nab a seat inside to warm up with our meal and a half of Thwock, a hazy pale with a touch of grapefruit zestiness proves a great foil for the chilli heat.
Having eaten, we decide it’s worth forgoing the walk back to Marsden station to enjoy a liquid desert. After all, there’s a bus we could catch, so it seems worth it. Kate opts for a third of roasty imperial stout Whatever, Whatever. For me, it’s a small glass of a gorgeously sweet cherry wine, as advertised on the bar top.
These higher strength numbers lead us to reminisce over our first visit to the taproom. Back then, the bar staff got the pump clips on two stouts mixed up, meaning we spent the afternoon drinking a 10.5% imperial stout believing it was just 5.5%. This led to a very embarrassed question about whether we intended to drive! Much less drama to this visit, we’ve nonetheless enjoyed soaking up the good vibes of this unique beer destination – the perfect accompaniment to a moorland mooch.
Find Zapato on Instagram and Facebook. The brewery tap is open Weds to Sat 12-10pm, Sun 12-9pm with food traders each weekend – see the Zapato website for full details.
SOUNDS TASTY 