The Brewery Tap, Chester

The Brewery Tap, Chester

The Tap has installed a snazzy 12ft Christmas tree this year, but this magnificent Jacobean great hall is an aesthetic marvel at any time. Nowadays, Gamul House functions as the tap for Cheshire brewery Spitting Feathers, whose dark and seasonal beers – Old Wavertonian stout, a gingerbread latte stout and its spiced Christmas Cracker – will be prominent this month. If that is not enough to keep the cold out, the Tap also serves gutsy, rib-sticking food, such as corned beef hash, homemade brawn and potatoes or devilled kidneys on toast (mains from £8.95). 
• Pint from £3.10. 52-54 Lower Bridge Street, 01244 340999, the-tap.co.uk. Open Mon-Sat noon-11pm, Sun noon-10.30pm