GAVIN FROST enjoys the burgeoning beer scene in Harrogate.

I’ve always been a creature of habit. I tend to frequent the same pub and sometimes drink the same beer for weeks on end. That was certainly the case when I moved to Yorkshire nearly eight years ago. I found my favourite local and I rarely moved from it.

But my resolve for sticking with what I know and like has been tested, because the beer scene in this town I now call home has recently exploded. I’ll show you why. We’re going on a pub crawl!

Head to the station and meet me in Harrogate. Yes it’s true! A beer-lover’s life in Harrogate has changed so much recently. There are new kids on the block, the old guard have evolved and we’ve ended up with a thriving scene.

So you've disembarked at the station and although it's tempting, we're skipping the station bar, but there's method in my madness, we'll work our way back to there. Heading through town past Bettys, we'll visit the established places first.

Our first port of call, on Royal Parade, is the ever reliable Old Bell Tavern. A proper pub. No under 18s, no music, a worn wooden floor, nine hand pulls and a decent bottle range. I've even been known to pull a few pints there myself on occasion, purely for research you understand. There's the main bar and a second room, formerly Farrah's toffee shop, with some of the original character remaining.

Try the Old Bell’s bestseller, Hawkshead Windermere Pale, only 3.5 per cent ABV but packed with a blend of three traditional English hops and the American classic Citra, making a fabulous quencher. While you’re there you may as well have one from the ever-rotating local Rooster's pump too.

Thirty seconds away, down the cobbles past the pump rooms, is Hales Bar. Still gas lit, this is a place with barrel loads of character and such heritage deserves a traditional beer, so it's draft Bass for me. A long forgotten stalwart in the modern beer scene, there’s something evocative about the red triangle trademark and distinctive curly Bass typeface. A decent pint too!

Right, on to one of the new kids on the block. Walk back on yourself, then right past the Crown Hotel. In front of you is a ginnel and about half way up is Major Tom’s Social. You need to climb one flight of stairs and when you enter the bar you’ll see there’s nothing traditional about this place.

Ad-hoc furniture, black ceiling, chipboard bar, art on the walls. The beer selection is well worth checking out though via the old school blackboard - and by that I mean from an old school. This is beer school with a good selection of hand pulls and craft keg.

Very soon there'll be another addition directly opposite Major Tom's. The Pit will open on June 28 and while the emphasis will not just be on ale, they promise a good range of craft beer along with American BBQ food... and ping pong tables! I told you the Harrogate scene was changing.

Now you’ve a choice - back to the station for one more or head a little further from the centre. Two other pubs merit a mention but aren’t easy to include in this 'crawl'. The Coach and Horses is a short walk up Parliament Street/West Park. It faces the Stray and although it’s on a main road it’s still quite pleasant to sit outside. Beers include regulars from Tetley’s, Ilkley and Leeds breweries.

The other is the Swan on the Stray, sister to the Old Bell. Head to the junction of Westmoreland Street and Skipton Road and you’ll spot it. With a more modern finish than the Old Bell, the Swan has a beer garden and among their eight hand pulls you’ll find a few on the stronger side.

Back to the station is about ten minutes’ walk and we’ve still time for one there. Another of Harrogate’s recent additions is the Harrogate Tap. Converted from the old station refreshment rooms, in the same manner as York Tap, the interior is traditional and well finished. The hand-crafted bar is constantly polished by the staff and so it should be, it’s a thing of beauty.

There are usually around 11 hand pulls, eight or so craft keg and a couple of ciders, frequently changing, and I can nearly always find something I’ve haven't tried before. The bar could do with a large board to list what’s on and a hook for your coat wouldn't go amiss but I’ll forgive them that as I look at the huge range of bottles.

Trains run to York every hour. Get carried away and you’re guaranteed to miss one. But don’t worry, I’m sure you’ll find something to do while you’re waiting for the next. And maybe the next.