I visited Royton's Courtyard Brewery for just 20 minutes

On Friday, I visited The Courtyard Brewery in Royton for a mere 20 minutes before having enough and leaving behind more food at my table than I ever have in 26 years.

Staff from the Stag & Turtle, of Holmfirth, were in the outside kitchen 'hatch' on the day of my arrival to the Shepherd Street bar.

Walking in my first impression was positive as the atmosphere was buzzing, it was lively, while the furnishings were rustic – it seemed very edgy and cool.

The Courtyard Brewery, Shepherd Street (Image: Newsquest)

My evening changed, however, when I was served a pint of the house’s SIP lager which tasted like it was funnelled through an old line - far from fresh.

I wanted to order food too so I was asked to do so outside through a window to the kitchen where the chef would take it, I asked for a menu and he snapped that they were inside.

Back through the bifolding doors I went to pick one up and returned ready to place my order – although now I had to wait for the chef to finish scrolling on his phone before placing it.

Takoyaki balls, chicken thigh yakisoba noodles and a pint of SIP lager (Image: Newsquest)

I ordered takoyaki, which was supposed to be octopus, and chicken thigh yakisoba noodles.

They came in under five minutes, excited I reached for one of the five balls, but I was met with disappointment. Inside was mush with minimal octopus – I wouldn’t be surprised if they bought it frozen and reheated it.

Giving it the benefit of the doubt I tried two more but washing them down with what tasted like an old pint was a struggle.

What was left of reporter Joe Yates' pint, starter and main when he exited (Image: Newsquest)

Onto the main, the chicken thigh yakisoba noodles came with 'pan fried rainbow vegetables' but it was bland, incredibly so – salt and pepper wouldn’t have gone a miss here.

Disappointed I left the bar with a bitter taste in my mouth, and headed to Co-op to wash it down with a bottle of water.

I spent an eye-watering £29.90 in my 20 minutes there - to break it down, the chicken noodles came to £18, the octopus balls were £8 and the pint was £4.90.

Everything about The Courtyard Brewery is good on paper - the concept of it, the design, the atmosphere but the delivery was poor. Would I return? Probably not.