The Little John pours three handpulls, led by our own Peak District Pale Ale at 4.3 per cent alongside a rotating guest and a rotating Abbeydale, and nine draught taps including Guinness, Peroni, Estrella Galicia and Aspalls Suffolk Cyder. Wine comes from Vintners on the Brook next door, and coffee is roasted by Castleton Coffee Co.
A well-kept bar is mostly an argument about cellar work, and it is one worth having. Lines cleaned properly, beer turned over quickly enough to stay bright, and glasses that have not been through a machine with the wrong detergent. None of it shows on a menu. All of it shows in the pint.
The rest is knowing who to buy from. Hathersage and the valley around it are full of people making things properly, and the shortest supply chain usually turns out to be the best one.
On the bar
Beer and ales
Served in pints and halves. The handpulls and the rotational lines change through the year; these are the constants.
Draught beer and cider
Pint or half
Peroni Nastro Azzurro Ve
5.1%
Estrella Galicia Ve
5.5%
Staropramen Czech Pilsner
5.0%
Carling British Lager Ve
4.0%
Stones Bitter
3.7%
Aspalls Suffolk Cyder Ve Gf
5.5%
Guinness Draught Ve
4.2%
Abbeydale Beers Ve Gf
Rotational
Jubel Peach Lager Ve Gf
4.0%
Handpull
Pint or half
Peak District Pale Ale Ve Gf
4.3%. Our house brew, a crisp, refreshing pale ale crafted to reflect the character of the hills that surround us. Light in colour, with bright citrus notes and a clean, balanced finish.
Selected Guest Ales
Rotational
Selected Abbeydale Handpulls
Rotational
From next door
Wine
Our wines are supplied by our neighbours at Vintners on the Brook, the independent wine merchant right next door to the pub. Where a wine is poured by the glass, the glass prices are shown first and the bottle price last.
Red
175ml 250ml bottle
Flying Solo Rouge £6.95 £7.95 £20.95
Soft, juicy southern French red with ripe berry fruit and a smooth finish
Ke Bonta Sangiovese £7.55 £8.55 £22.95
Bright cherry and plum flavours with gentle spice and classic Italian freshness
Santiago Merlot £7.95 £8.95 £23.95
Easy-drinking and rounded, with soft black fruit and a touch of cocoa
Heilan Coo Shiraz £9.95 £10.95 £29.95
Rich and warming, packed with dark berries, pepper and a hint of smoke
Gran Sombrero Malbec £10.55 £11.55 £32.95
Full-bodied and bold, with ripe black fruit and a touch of spice
La Ruine Pinot Noir - - £25.95
Light-bodied and elegant, with red berry fruit and subtle earthy notes
Muriel Crianza Tinto Rioja - - £29.95
Smooth and structured with dark fruit, vanilla and gentle oak spice
Casalforte Valpolicella Ripasso - - £34.95
Velvety and complex, showing dried fruit, cherry and warming spice
I Buongiorno Primitivo - - £34.95
Deep and intense with rich plum, blackberry and a hint of sweet spice
Rosé
175ml 250ml bottle
Ke Bonta Pinot Blush £7.55 £8.55 £22.95
Light, fresh and fruit-forward with soft strawberry and raspberry notes
White Zinfandel £7.95 £8.95 £23.95
Off-dry and easy-going, with juicy red fruit and a soft, refreshing finish
Domaine Gayda La Minuette Rosé - - £29.95
Fresh and elegant southern French rosé with wild strawberry, redcurrant and a crisp, refreshing finish
White
175ml 250ml bottle
Flying Solo Blanc £6.95 £7.95 £20.95
Crisp and refreshing with citrus, stone fruit and a clean finish
Ke Bonta Pinot Grigio £7.55 £8.55 £22.95
Light and zesty with fresh pear and citrus flavours
La Ruine Chardonnay £8.55 £9.55 £26.95
Balanced and lightly creamy with stone fruit and subtle oak
Seahills Sauvignon Blanc £9.95 £10.95 £29.95
Zingy and aromatic with gooseberry, citrus and a crisp finish
Akurra Chardonnay - - £23.95
Smooth and rounded with ripe orchard fruit and a gentle creamy texture
The Ruse Chenin Blanc - - £25.95
Fresh and lively with apple, citrus and a touch of honeyed character
Reveleste Albariño - - £34.95
Bright and mineral with citrus, peach and a hint of coastal freshness
Lèvre Piquante Picpoul de Pinet - - £36.95
Crisp and saline with lemon, green apple and a refreshing edge
Champagne and sparkling
125ml bottle
Luminista Prosecco DOC £6.95 £29.95
Light and lively with fresh apple, pear and a soft sparkle
Luminista Rosé Prosecco - £29.95
Delicate and fruity with red berries and a refreshing finish
Cava Maisa D'or - £32.95
Dry and crisp with citrus, green apple and fine bubbles
Laurent Perrier La Cuvée Champagne - £59.95
Elegant Champagne with fine bubbles, citrus and a refined, toasty finish
For the driver
Soft drinks
For anyone driving home over the tops, and for everybody who has walked far enough to want something cold that is not a pint.
Draught soft drinks
Regular large
Pepsi £3.25 £3.95
Pepsi Max £3.25 £3.95
Lemonade £3.25 £3.95
Fruit juice
300ml
Orange Juice £3.95
Apple Juice £3.95
Pineapple Juice £3.95
Cranberry Juice £3.95
Tomato Juice £3.95
J20 and Fruit Shoot
J20 Orange & Passionfruit £3.95
J20 Apple & Raspberry £3.95
J20 Apple & Mango £3.95
Blackcurrant Fruit Shoot £2.00
Orange Fruit Shoot £2.00
Franklin & Sons mixers
Ginger Ale £2.95
Ginger Beer £2.95
Indian Tonic £2.95
Light Tonic £2.95
Mallorcan Tonic £2.95
Elderflower & Cucumber Tonic £2.95
Franklin & Sons premium pops
Apple & Pear £4.25
Dandelion & Burdock £4.25
Elderflower Lemonade £4.25
Peach & Mango £4.25
Raspberry Lemonade £4.25
Aqua Libra water
Aqua Libra Still £2.95
Aqua Libra Sparkling £2.95
Roasted six miles away
Coffee and tea
Coffee
Castleton Coffee Co.
Our coffee is sourced from Castleton Coffee Co., just down the road in the village of Castleton. Roasted locally with care, their beans produce a smooth, well balanced cup with plenty of flavour.
Espresso £2.60
Americano £2.80
Macchiato £3.00
Flat White £3.40
Cappuccino £3.80
Latte £3.80
Mocha £3.90
Coffee specials
Vanilla Latte £4.10
Caramel Latte £4.10
Hazelnut Latte £4.10
Toffee Nut Latte £4.10
Tea
Yorkshire Tea £3.00
CO2 Decaffeinated £3.00
Earl Grey £3.00
Chai Tea £3.00
Green Tea £3.00
Moroccan Mint £3.00
Hot chocolate
Hot Chocolate £3.90
Fully Loaded Biscoff £4.40
Fully Loaded Malteaser £4.40
Fully Loaded Crunchie £4.40
Behind the bar
Spirits
Spirits
All day
Shivering Mountain Distillery
Gin distilled in the Peak District, named after Mam Tor.
No rush
A pub, not a queue
There is a pool table, a dartboard, a real fire and a seat by the window that somebody always seems to be in. Dogs sleep under the tables. Walkers come off the moor still in their boots.
You are welcome to sit with one pint for an hour. That is what the chairs are for.
Asked often
About the bar
What beers are on at The Little John?
Three handpulls: our own Peak District Pale Ale at 4.3 per cent, a rotating guest ale and a rotating Abbeydale. On draught there are nine taps, including Peroni, Estrella Galicia, Staropramen, Carling, Stones Bitter, Guinness, Jubel Peach, a rotating Abbeydale and Aspalls Suffolk Cyder. Everything is served in pints and halves.
Do you have your own beer?
Yes. Peak District Pale Ale is brewed for us at 4.3 per cent. It is the pint most regulars order without looking at the bar.
Where does your wine come from?
Our wine list is supplied by Vintners on the Brook, the independent wine merchant next door to the pub. It means the list changes with what they are excited about rather than what a national supplier is pushing.
Do you serve coffee?
Yes. Our coffee is roasted by Castleton Coffee Co., a few miles down the road in Castleton, and served all day.
Can I drink in the garden?
Yes. There is a beer garden, and dogs are welcome in it and in the bar.
