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The
British pub guide:
The
Jug and Glass, Derbyshire
A
pub since 1782, the Jug and Glass is a folksy,
cosy place with a handsome collection of cask beers.
By
Arthur Taylor
(Saturday, 11 July, 2009)
The
village of Lea is hidden away up in the wooded Derwent hills above Matlock
and Cromford, discreetly off the usual tourist trails. The Jug and Glass,
very much a locals' local, lies at one end of a row of weavers' cottages.
It has been a pub since 1782 and there is still a list on the wall of
all the landlords since the early 19th century.
The
"Jug", as it is universally known, is a folksy, cosy place, with three
rooms grouped around the central bar, each one wood-panelled, low-beamed
and old-fashioned "front-parlour" furnished.
It
is run by Jez and Sharon Hytch, who quit teaching 12 months ago to start
a new life. Given the perilous state of the pub business, it might have
seemed a risky move, but they are making a great go of things. The place
is positively buzzing.
You
can always tell a good pub by the flutter of paper on the noticeboard
Š and this one is a classic. There are intimate details of the skittles
team's progress through Division Two of the Ripley and District Skittles
League. (The alley, under trees at the side of the car park, was built
this spring by customers. This is their first season in the league.)
A
professional mole catcher offers his services. Half a dozen people have
signed up for a poker club on Monday evenings. Here's a faded photograph
of the village football team, circa 1898 – the modern-day team uses
the pub as a base. There's a pub cricket team. Above the bar is a carved
gnomic notice: "Your village called – their idiot is missing."
A
handsome collection of cask beers is on offer, including tried-and-trusted
favourites like Timothy Taylor's Landlord, Marston's Pedigree, Copper
Dragon Golden Pippin and Black Sheep Bitter, plus a local favourite,
Hartington IPA from the Whim Brewery.
There
is a "Jug" or a "Glass" menu. The Jug, through the week, means pub food,
such as local sausage and mustard mash (£7.75). The Glass, on Friday
and Saturday evenings only, is a bit more exotic and includes treats
like twice-cooked Derbyshire belly pork, with black pudding mash and
cr¸me fra”che (£12). Everything is locally sourced and portions are heroic.
*
The Jug and Glass Inn, Main Road, Lea, Matlock, Derbyshire (01629 534232;
www.jugandglasslea.co.uk)
If you want
to see whether this article reflects the Jug & Glass give us a visit
or you can contact us by telephoning 01629 534232 or by sending an e-mail
to enquiries@jugandglasslea.co.uk
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