Continuing the selfless quest of searching out the best craft breweries – and not just in Yorkshire, honestly – we come to the White Swan which, in the past, has been CAMRA Pub of the Year. A proper pub on a bend in the high street, no pretentions, just good beer, food and music…and darts. Darts Team now recruiting. Stokesley is a market town in the northern end of North Yorkshire, gateway to the North Yorks Moors National Park.

The brewery out the back produces some excellent beer, named for the great Yorkshire sea adventurer, Captain James Cook. We like the “Slipway” [4.2% ABV] and “Endeavour” [4.3% ABV], but there are lots of others. Available in the pub or, as we’ve done a few times, in barrels to take home for select gatherings. Complete with pump etc. All you need to do is drink up! They also have an ever-changing selection of guest beers and have been know to have a little board outlining the “guest crisps”.

Pub The White Swan