The following article has been published by the Derby Drinker.

The nines bus service is a great way to visit many pubs hereabout and, indeed, in Nottinghamshire.

We’re looking at some of those hostelries on the frequent service from Corporation Street, Derby, from where your roving reporter did a whistle-stop day tour. Derby’s first micro pub in the modern era was the Little Chester Ale House which is now run by Leatherbritches brewery, and this, together with the Coach and Horses with its fabulous arts and crafts exterior, are always worth visiting.

Further on, alighting two stops after Haslam’s Lane on Alfreton Road, and then turning left by Toolstation, the Tiny Tap on Alfreton Road is a modern bar within the newly relocated Little Brewery which has expanded exponentially since its foundation pre-covid. Three hand-drawn Little beers at very reasonable prices can also be imbibed outside.

The 9.1 stops at Elm Tree Avenue, Kilburn, which is handy for the Hunter Arms, Church Street, where you’ll find one of the finest outdoor drinking areas in the county. Mark and Paula Showers have been convivial licensees here since 2009, offering Draught Bass, Greene King Abbot, Oakham Citra and one or two changing beers. The days of Ripley Market Place advertising “high class pit ponies for sale” are long gone – the town has a proud mining heritage, and you’re more likely to be interested in the pubs, one being the everreliable Good Beer Guide listed Wetherspoon’s Red Lion. An opened-out interior overlooks an attractive terrace and Andy Brett, well known in CAMRA circles hereabout, is integral to the Lion’s team.

Facing it, on the far side of the Market Place is the Thorn Tree which has reopened after internal refurbishment in light, contemporary style. An imaginative ale offering featured Wilde Child Thunderstruck, Magic Rock Ringmaster, Doom Bar and Pedigree, which is complemented by a food menu offering dishes for around a tenner and the kids’ pick and mix menu at £6 is likely to lure parents seeking to sate their offspring’s appetite. Live music is on Saturdays and a swish patio is protected from the busy road by mature trees. The Three Horse Shoes, Crompton Arms and Pear Tree are close-by as are two Micropubs - Tom Said & Ripley's Little Ale House thus enabling a mini pub tour.

The nines continue down Butterley Hill to the award-winning Talbot which is unmissable being on a flat iron site. You’ll find at least half a dozen different real ales and a similar number of real ciders The Steampacket is prominent on Swanwick crossroads and a cracking choice of beer awaits, which when I called was Thornbridge, Ashover, and two from Welsh outfit Tiny Rebel whose Cwtch won Champion Beer of Britain in 2015. Burton staple, Draught Bass, is also available for those seeking a taste of tradition. The outside area attracts plenty of sun and Tuesday is quiz night with live music featuring regularly. Little Chester Ale House Coach & Horses Tiny Tap Thorn Tree The Steampacket 10 DerbyDRINKER August - October 2024 Nines Bus Route Offers Multiple Op The Hunters Arms, Clock Inn Market Tavern Duke of Sussex The Railway Inn Picture House 11 Alighting at Alfreton bus station, a clutch of good pubs is nearby including the Bankers Tavern, High Street, which always has something of interest for the discerning beer drinker.

The 9.1 calls at South Normanton and the handily situated, Good Beer Guide listed Clock Inn wasn’t open so I made my way to the Market Tavern, High Street, where at the back of the narrow, deep interior I found Dungeon Brewing’s stout: Is This a Joke? Marble Manchester Bitter and Timelapse a session pale from Castle Rock, Nottinghamshire’s largest brewery. I was tempted to try Hazards of Love from Pentrich but at 7.3% abv I thought the better of it. Rich’s cider caters for apple aficionados. Notwithstanding its closure on Monday, the Market Tavern opens at noon every day which is a refreshing change to the restricted hours of many micro pubs.

Unfortunately, on a Thursday afternoon in Kirkby-in-Ashfield, the Dandy Cock Ale House and Dog House, both Good Beer Guide listed were closed, thus it was onwards to Sutton in Ashfield where the 9.1 stops on Alfreton Road, close to the Duke of Sussex. I had to smile as I entered the lobby, as a notice stated the maximum number of persons the lounge and bar hold! A brace from Pheasantry and one from Purity presented themselves and I opted for the former’s BB. The wellappointed interior is configurated in a H layout with tables and chairs for diners drawn to the enticing looking menu and comfy banquette seating for those just seeking a drink.

The outdoor area is popular in summer. In the centre of Sutton, near the bus station is the Picture House a J D Wetherspoon conversion of a former cinema which retains considerable wooden wall panelling from the old cinematic era. I didn’t regret choosing Stout Rage Ous from Gorilla brewery of Mexborough which went down a treat. Fire Rock on Outram Street, the tap for Fire Rock brewery hadn’t yet opened and I had another bus to catch. The final port of call was Mansfield, where close to the bus station on Station Street is the Railway Inn a small, welcoming pub which offers home cooked food from 11.00am to 8.00pm every day. A brace from each of Pheasantry and Woodforde’s of Norfolk vie for attention and traditional cider is served.

The garden and courtyard area are busy in clement weather. Unfortunately, time was running out on this day sojourn and I wasn’t able to patronise the Brown Cow on Ratcliffe Gate and Bold Forester on Botany Avenue, both Good Beer Guide listed. Also, I understand that the Garrison and Stella Taps are worthy of patronage in the town. So, with four buses an hour running between Derby and Mansfield, there’s no shortage of pub options on the Nines. Most of the places visited are served by the 9.1 and 9.3 except where stated above, but please check opening times before venturing forth.