The Town Street Tap, Duffield

We had previously tried three times to visit this newly-opened establishment in Duffield but either found it closed (open Wed - Sun only) or already too full. So we went early on a Thursday and found it, at 7.15, warming up, but with a free corner table. This micropub has no bar and offers table service. The waiting staff (blokes) are knowledgeable about what they've got in and ready and willing to bring you more beer when you look as if you need some. There were 3/4 different beers on offer and those chosen arrived without any head or with a very thin one, so, if you like value for money, this is a place to go. One of our number, I'm ashamed to report, opted for a "craft lager", obviously blind to the second word. Pleasingly, he lived to regret the choice. Popular with locals, it filled up by about 8pm and, therein, revealed its one drawback - noise. It contains no soft-furnishings and so all the noise reverberates and it became increasingly difficult to hear conversation. That aside, a great place.
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The Old Black Swan, Crich

Until a few months ago, this was a locals pub - a bit dowdy and, as I remember, with teacups hanging from the ceiling. It's now had a facelift, been taken over by the excellent Ashover Brewery and has added a mysterious rear bar to its facilities. The rear bar was shut on the night we visited but, evidently, offers an illuminated horse trough. So much for the curios, what of the beer? Well, a fine range - at least eight on handpump on the bar and, allegedly, six ciders to choose from, if you like that sort of thing. The welcome was warm, there was a fire in the woodburner and comfortable seating abounded. The Old Black Swan is now a promising alternative to The Cliff as the must-visit pub in Crich.

The Bluebell, South Wingfield

The number of times each of  us has driven past the Bluebell is beyond number but, now that the "Watch Sky Sports Here" banner has been taken down and it's obviously been spruced up, the Bluebell looked worth a visit. We weren't exactly treated like long-lost friends but the service was adequate and the choice of beers satisfactory. Their apparent boast is that there's always a £2 beer on offer (something from a brewery in Cornwall but this was nowhere near as flavoursome as the Boltcutter from Timothy Taylor's at £3.20 a pint. The surroundings were nice enough - some interesting old treadle tables - and a nice woodburning stove gave the place cheer. A little under-populated which is a shame for a place that's made an attempt to become a proper pub and not gone down the food line. In face the food choices are scant but honest. Worth stopping, if you're passing and a good alternative to the more-frequented Yew Tree nearby.

The Adelphi, Leeds

When in Leeds, turn south out of the station and head south and go over the River Aire at Bridge End. The Adelphi is on the left-hand corner opposite. A fantastic Victorian pub with three interior rooms downstairs and the promise of more upstairs. Although plying its trade as a place to eat, it has retained a devotion to serving good beer and the barman is informative about the different beers on offer. I had a pint (two, in fact) of Leeds Pale and it lived up to its name and, at 3.8% was just sufficiently intoxicating. Reminiscent of the Royal Philharmonic Rooms in Liverpool, this is definitely one to make the effort to visit - if you find yourself in Leeds, that is!

The Red Lion, Matlock Green

Although this was, initially, a second choice, on an evening when we had intended to go elsewhere but found the White Lion at Starkholmes unexpectedly shut, the Red Lion turned out to be an acceptable alternative. The interior is extensive with games and a TV at one end and a range of old-fashioned but reasonably comfortable seating in other parts, some of which are on a raised level. The bar offered 3 real ales and we had one of them which was well-kept and hoppy in flavour. The service was functional more than friendly but, then again, we weren't regulars.

Robin Hood Inn, Baslow

After a four-mile walk, the first thing you want to find is a warm welcome, rather than wrangling over whether we had booked or not. However, the service got friendlier from then on, the food arrived promptly and the beer was refreshing and served up in bespoke glasses. Most of us had a lovely pint of Boondoggle, from the Ringwood Brewery but Hobgoblin, from Wychwood and Marston's Pedigree were also available. We sat outside in lovely autumnal sunshine but inside there were a couple of comfortably furnished rooms. All in all, a good pub.

Beehive Inn, Peasehill, Ripley

Despite the nostalgic 'Home Ales' sign, the Beehive, in all honesty, doesn't look that welcoming from the outside. However, what treats lay within! The front door gives into a tap room with TV and traditional pub games. Three beers were on offer here and we all chose something light and refreshing. On the direction on the landlady, we proceeded through the bar and out the back towards the Honeypot bar - a sort of shed conversion to provide an outlet for beer brewed on the premises. It offered a further four real ales and some basic seating accommodation. It seemed popular with the locals and it's easy to understand why, especially at £2.70/£2,80 a pint.