Name: The Bitter End

Where: Kirkgate, Cockermouth, CA13 9PJ

Website: www.bitterend.co.uk

Telephone: 01900 828993

Opening hours: 4pm to 11pm Mon - Tues and 12 to 11pm Wed - Sun

Owner/chef: Sue Askey

History: We bought the pub as a derelict building in 1995. We wanted to create a relaxed atmosphere and we played a lot of Van Morrison when we first opened.
Good beer has always played a central role in the pub and we stock a large range of craft beers in bottles and tap.
These include Trappist Ales from Belgium, wheat beer from Germany and Californian IPAs.
And of course we stock beers some of the best British craft breweries, including some very rare examples like BrewDog’s ‘Tactical Nuclear Penguin’ (said to be the world’s strongest beer at 32% abv).
We also now stock a very popular selection of craft gins, over 32 different types from small scale independent distilleries.

Style of food: Our food is good, honest, traditional pub food, all home-made and we always buy from local producers and suppliers when possible.
Our range of gourmet burgers is very popular at the moment but our home-made ‘steak and ale pie’ is always our top seller and everyone loves our double cooked chips.

Menu sample: Black Pudding Stack: Grilled cumbrian black pudding and pancetta set on a warm potato salad with a pea mint puree £5.95.
Beer Battered Brie: Brie wedge in crispy “Real Ale” batter, served hot with a leaf salad and cranberry sauce £5.50.
Steak & Ale Pie: Cumbrian steak and mushrooms slowly cooked in real ale, encased in short crust pastry and baked until golden. Served with a choice of double cooked chips or mash, a jug of gravy and garden peas £10.95.
Boston Beef: Strips of rump steak cooked with mushrooms and peppers in a brandy and crème fraîche sauce. Served with a choice of rice or double cooked chips £11.95.
Goats Cheese Bake: Red and yellow peppers on a flat mushroom with baked goats cheese Served with new potatoes and a crisp salad £10.25.

In their own words: We love our pub, our customers and their pets. I think you could call our style modern traditional. We just try to keep thing simple and listen to what our customers like and dislike.