Moving down to the southern edge of Dartmoor, Ivybridge is 13-miles from Plymouth, bypassed by the Devon Expressway. We were making our way to a brewery tap room and Good Beer Guide pub.
But first, a diversion to nearby Bittaford and the Horse and Groom...
Horse & Groom (Exeter Road, Bittaford, PL21 0EL - web)
This is a grand 1930's community pub which stands above the road up a deceptively steep driveway, palm trees lining the front garden.
The Horse and Groom pre-dates what we see today and was previously situated on the other side of the road. That building was partially demolished in 1933 in order to widen the B3213, the new pub constructed opposite the old one.
This is a grand 1930's community pub which stands above the road up a deceptively steep driveway, palm trees lining the front garden.
The Horse and Groom pre-dates what we see today and was previously situated on the other side of the road. That building was partially demolished in 1933 in order to widen the B3213, the new pub constructed opposite the old one.
It's a proper old-school pub inside - red carpet, red cushioned bench seating under the windows, dumpy stools, horse-orientated accessories on display, pewter tankards hanging above the bar.
Lots of old pictures of Bittaford covered the bits of walls that weren't advertising enormo-steak deals in the restaurant.
Dartmoor 'Jail Ale', Exmoor 'Stag' and 'Flattler' cider were on the hand pumps on a bar counter spoilt by huge white Carlsberg dispensers.
But it was the house beer which drew my attention...
Lots of old pictures of Bittaford covered the bits of walls that weren't advertising enormo-steak deals in the restaurant.
Dartmoor 'Jail Ale', Exmoor 'Stag' and 'Flattler' cider were on the hand pumps on a bar counter spoilt by huge white Carlsberg dispensers.
But it was the house beer which drew my attention...
"Bittaford has a community hall, a Methodist church on Exeter Road and a pub called the Horse and Groom".
Well, I'd done the pub so set out for touristic completion - here's the Methodist church...
We moved on to Ivybridge where our first port of call was the Imperial...
There are five pubs in the town, all of which looked like proper boozers set in terraces, serving a lot of Doom Bar and Tribute. The Imperial, five minutes south of the town centre is the current Beer Guide entry.
It's a spacious L-shaped bar with a big fireplace for colder weather, big garden out back for when the sun's shining.
Dartmoor 'Jail Ale' and St Austell 'Tribute' were being served, with a 36-pint pin of local ale on the back of the bar: all drunk by the Friday evening crowd, unfortunately for me.
Instead, I picked the Sandford 'Rib Tickler', feeling the need for a bit of Devon cider.
Ivybridge didn't quite match the expectations of picturesque Devonian town that I'd conjured up in my mind. But stroll north of the town centre and you reach the waterfalls, railway viaduct in the woods, and old mill.
Stowford Paper Mill was constructed in 1787, then rebuilt in the 1860's at which point it employed over 300 people.
I bet none of those 300 folk ever imagined their workplace would be set to become 'premium loft apartments' in the 2020's.
Stowford Paper Mill was constructed in 1787, then rebuilt in the 1860's at which point it employed over 300 people.
I bet none of those 300 folk ever imagined their workplace would be set to become 'premium loft apartments' in the 2020's.
Mrs PropUptheBar had the patience of saints while I scrambled about trying to take a respectable photograph of the waterfalls that are a constant presence to the side of the path.
To be fair, Mrs PropUptheBar always needs to have the patience of saints.
Suitably exercised, we headed back into the town to the small shopping centre built on the site of another old mill.
Where we were pleased to see the Tap Room had opened their doors 15-minutes earlier than advertised.
Where we were pleased to see the Tap Room had opened their doors 15-minutes earlier than advertised.
Ivybridge Brewery Tap (3 Glanvilles Mill, Ivybridge, PL21 9PS - web)
Ivybridge Brewing Co are a social enterprise providing work, training, and volunteering opportunities for people with learning disabilities.
It was set up by a keen home-brewer, Simon Rundle, initially in a room at the town hall. They then moved into the taproom in June 2022, expanding the brewing kit which now produces around 7,000 litres a year.
Ivybridge Brewing Co are a social enterprise providing work, training, and volunteering opportunities for people with learning disabilities.
It was set up by a keen home-brewer, Simon Rundle, initially in a room at the town hall. They then moved into the taproom in June 2022, expanding the brewing kit which now produces around 7,000 litres a year.
Five beers on tap, plus a Devon Red cider.
A pale ale, amber ale and two IPAs (take your pick between 'hazy' or 'punchy').
"I recommend the Erme Pale", said the sole other customer propping up the bar.
So I thought I'd better have it, lest he be offended by my snubbing his recommendation.
It's the first beer the brewery released and is a light easy-going 4% session ale.
Here's the action shot of it being poured...
A pale ale, amber ale and two IPAs (take your pick between 'hazy' or 'punchy').
"I recommend the Erme Pale", said the sole other customer propping up the bar.
So I thought I'd better have it, lest he be offended by my snubbing his recommendation.
It's the first beer the brewery released and is a light easy-going 4% session ale.
Here's the action shot of it being poured...
And as it's beer for a good cause I purchased a couple of bottles to pop in the backpack as takeaways.
Now let's see if I can find another Devon taproom to make it three-in-a-row.
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