While the city has its fair share of big name chain bars, pubs and restaurants, Bath is also famous for being a fierce champion of independent businesses showcasing the best of local produce.

If you’re a fan of real ale, you simply can’t do better than Bath Ales. Lonely Planet has included the Bath brewery in its brand new world beer guide, one of only a selected number of UK breweries, taprooms and bars to make the list. The guide, Lonely Planet’s Global Beer Tour, is a comprehensive guide to the best places to sup an exceptional beer in 30 countries across 5 continents. The guide recommends the best beers to try and how to find each brewery or venue – and even how to order them in the native language of each country.

It’s a real honour for Bath Ales to be included in the Lonely Planet guide, but it’s not difficult to see why. Established in 1995, Bath Ales was born and bred in the heart of Bath and its beers are hugely popular across Bath and beyond. The brewery was acquired by another independent brewery, the Cornwall-based St Austell Brewery, in 2016.

The Bath Ales site itself is based in Bristol, but you can find its unique pale ales, smooth stout and golden light ales in a wide range of fantastic pubs around Bath. For your first taste of Bath Ales favourites such as Gem, Wild Hare, Dark Side and the irresistibly named Special Pale Ale, make a beeline for:

• The Salamander – a small, cosy pub just off Queen’s Square, also serving food. Expect pub classics such as beer-battered fish and chips (with Bath Ales beer in the batter, of course) along with your pint.
• The Hop Pole – a charming country pub right in the heart of Bath, with its own secret courtyard garden. Find The Hop Pole on Upper Bristol Road, the same road as Bath Holiday Rentals’ glamorous property Monmouth Mews.
• Graze Bar & Chophouse – nestled on Brunel Square is the brewery’s flagship restaurant, a large inviting space right next to Bath Spa railway station and part of the city’s food quarter. British meat is the focus of the menu along with locally sourced, seasonal ingredients, but you can of course enjoy many of Bath Ales’ beers and ciders with your meal.

If you want to see how your new favourite beers are made, head to Bath Ales HQ for a fascinating brewery tour. There’s also a handy brewery shop so you can take a few bottles home for later or as gifts.

Heading on a Bath ale trail?

If you’re visiting the city to sample its impressive offering of real ales, you’ll need the perfect place to stay – especially if you have one too many! Sup responsibly of course, but make sure you have a gorgeous Bath Holiday Rentals property to head back to at the end of the evening. You’ll find them dotted throughout the centre of Bath, supremely convenient for all the sights, sounds, bars and pubs of the city.