The Spotted Cow Inn, 31 The Green, Elwick, Hartlepool, Cleveland, TS27 3EF. Tel:01429 266373.

LEFT CLICK ON PHOTO TO ENLARGE

The Spotted Cow Inn was a chance visit for Cask Task, when the journey to Teeside had to be made to replace a faulty Sony stereo system, under guarantee, from Curry's store in Teeside. What a boring old fart the Cask Task real ale taster can be. Not to worry. The Spotted Cow in the lovely village green in Elwick was a pleasure to sup your ale in.

Ringwoods Boondoggle(would you believe?), Jennings Stickle Pike(which I've never seen before on my travels, so I had a good pint of that) and Jennings Cocker Hoop were the three on offer. Very enjoyable.
Another good real ale pub in Elwick.

The McOrville Inn, 34 The Green, Elwick, Hartlepool, Cleveland, TS27 3EF. Tel:01429 273344.

LEFT CLICK ON PHOTO TO ENLARGE

What an unexpected pleasure the McOrville Inn turned out to be.

Situated in the beautiful village green of Elwick, this friendly and comfortable pub serving good food and, more importantly from Cask Task's point of view, good real ale .
Nick Staffords Hambleton Ales Stud and Stallion, which was my choice incidentally, were accompanied by Timothy Taylors Landlord, making for an excellent choice of three beers.

A smashing pub well worth the trip out.