Judging
A pub crawl that was generated from a post in the British Pubs Facebook page. I used the Bar Trek App to plot the recommendations. Traveled up to Winsford for some Adventure Lab Caches and by the time I arrived at Crewe, there was only an hour to spare.
A return journey, but over the passing months, I have forgotten which were Good Beer Recommendations and which were merely recommended by locals. I am sure that I will be able to work it on the ground.
First stop is an early opener, The Crewe Dog. Hosted in one of those indoor markets that the North does so well. A small collection of eateries and Asian supermarkets, with a central area of high tables and stools for consuming your purchases.
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| Not Brew Dog |
Service was tricky. The bar was unmanned. I had a wander around, hoping to determine how Thai Basil differs from Italian Basil. I came back. Still unmanned. Problems with the San Miguel tap.
Eventual service, and my Cask Merlin's Gold was in ropey condition. A little murky, little buts floating in it if you looked too closely. Not in the bible.
More success at Hops, where world's collide. Crewe is a little bereft of Geocaches but there is one in the front beer garden.
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| Geocaching and Chouffing |
As you can see, this is a Belgian specialty house, with an extensive bottle menu and several on draught. But they also love traditional British dispense, with a selection of curated cask beers. Hard to make up my mind, but in the interest of scarcity, I went for the hunchbacked gnome. Good Beer Guide and an Orval Ambassador - just like my much loved Tripel Bs in Worcester. 22 others exist in the UK. Maybe I should create a Google Map?
I honestly thought that The Borough Arms was closed down. If ever a place deserved an external lick of paint. Mrs M would have been tutting, but I am riding solo and can venture where I choose.
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| Freehouse since (and last painted) 1867 |
And what a gem! A beer oasis, with all the beauty inside.
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| All my friends have been there |
Upstairs, downstairs and a rather nice patio garden. At least 8 cask ales on and as usual, I peak rather too early. The Thornbridge Crackendale was absolutely superb but then I clocked a reason to stay for two.
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| How to get in the Good Beer Guide - Import the best of the Midlands |
Superb and straight into my Top 10 pubs in the UK. The benefit of the two drink stop is that by the time I have finished, Tom's Tap House and Brewery around the corner is open.
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| Industrial Drinking |
A few quirky touches to raise it above the usual Industrial Unit Tap Room. A sense of humour - with the electronic board pronouncing "Today's Evil Keg Filth". A second screen details the Cask and a surprising varied selection of ciders. Which I could not resist. A schooner of a cider from Ross on Wye.
Indoor space, outdoor space and hybrid, where you can sit in a shipping container. Likely to be more lively during the regular evening events, I was made very welcome by Tom's Dad. He took me for the pub ticker I am and asked "Where Next?". I saw the slight eye-roll when I said "The Earl of Chester" and left with his words, "You really need to try Ebeneezer's" as I left.
What is wrong with the Earl of Chester I wondered?
A relatively long walk - but in the vague direction of the station - and I found an unassuming back street terraced pub. Entered, no punters and on a sparsely populated bar, I swear to God I only saw Carling.
Like Homer Simpson's dad, I did the hat off, 360 degree turn, hat back on to wonder how this got added to the list? Was someone on British Pubs pranking tourists? Something to ponder on a repeat visit to Ebeneezer's.
It's only at home, two days later and blogging that I determine that it is in the Good Beer Guide. I must have stumbled on an unused bar.
Twice I have judged a book by its cover. One day, I will learn to give things a little more time.
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