The Head of Steam, Hull

Attempted to visit on a Tuesday back in June. Conflicted opening hours available online with their own web site stating midday but Google claiming 2pm. Unfortunately for me, 2pm appeared to be correct as the pub was closed. Without time to hang around on that occasion, I had to abandon that plan. I see it is now marked as closed for refurb, so perhaps the incorrect information on their web site will also get refurbished!

This pub does have a good location and the outside seating was utilized on our sunny afternoon visit. The interior has a industrial theme with exposed rusted steel roof supports and a scored timber floor. along with a mural on the side wall of some steam driven machinery. Five keg beers, three ciders and three ales, which were all from Brass Castle Morph, Bitter and Peach Blonde.

This is a very small branch of the Head of Steam chain just across the square from Hull Minster. It was also fairly quiet compared with most Hull city centre pubs on our Saturday evening visit. Just the 4 real ales were on - Atom Catalyst & Ellipsis, Green Duck American Pale & Ossett Butterley. The cider was Snail's Bank Banoffee Pie. The pub has a cafe-like feel, with bench seating around tables. I'd imagine it gets more custom during the daytime when tourists are around. The female bouncer seemed a little bored and cold! The Head of Steam chain is still fairly reliable and despite the lack of beers compared with other branches, I quite enjoyed the atmosphere in here and both the beers and cider we chose were enjoyable.

Official site of The Head of Steam - www.theheadofsteam.co.uk

Official site of The Head of Steam - www.theheadofsteam.co.uk

7 cask ales on the bar plus some keg too. On cask was Darkness Cometh by Wilde Child, one or two by Atom, Theakston Best Bitter, Camerons Ahopalypse Now, Camerons Strongarm and possibly something else. Belgian and American bottles were also advertised. I went for the Darkness Cometh which was a chocolate orange stout, at £2.00 for a half. Decent enough place and I would be happy to pay a return visit (indeed, this is my second visit, and I don't get to Hull often).