Half Way There in Wigan
Wigan - just about within the Greater Manchester area - lists 8 pubs in the 2025 Good Beer Guide. I manage the first four, following a morning on the Greater Manchester Ringway. Is there enough here to justify a return visit?
Not if Tap 'n' Barrel is an accurate representation of the local beer scene. A micro pub, hosted down a small shopping arcade, I struggle to find service. An unmanned bar, that remains unmanned to the point of discomfort. Should I say something to the two other punters? Should I help myself and break my duck of having "never pulled a pint in my life"?
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| External Speaking sharing indie pop to the streets of Wigan |
After a good five minutes, a lady appears from upstairs and apologises. Pork pies are available on the weekend and I determine the weekend starts on a Friday lunchtime. Three real ales are on, but all pale ales. I make a mistake with my Wensleydale Semer Water, which was definitely on the turn. That slightly acetic sniff and taste of vinegar. It should really have been returned.
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| Lunch, nearly sorted |
A better experience at the very traditional Anvil. And prices that cannot be sniffed at. Phoenix Brewery Arizona a spoons-esque bargain of £3.45.
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| Red Brick.... |
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| ... And Multi Award Winning |
Wigan Central, hosted in railway arches, is a good place to sit and ponder my homeward journey at a town that has two adjacent railway stations. I could bang on about the complexity of our railway system but all I will say is this. A 48 minute, two train journey from North Western is three times the price of a 68 minute, three train journey from Wallgate. Even when there are severe delays from Wallgate. I am hoping to recoup the cost of a couple of pints from Northern.
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| Under the arches.... |
Wigan Central offer an interesting selection of beers - both local cask and international keg, which is my blueprint for how a micro should operate. I'm a little unsure of the gimmicky railway signal ordering system available on all tables. A full pub, and no one taking advantage of table service by raising the flag.
Abbeydale Black Mass always getting acknowledgement from the brewery during an Untappd check in.
Which leaves for today the 2021 Historic England Conservation award winning Swan and Railway.
An unassuming exterior leads to one of those labyrinthine pubs with many rooms to explore. After a long discussion with the barman about Bass, I settle in the front left room - with a spreadsheet of pub tickers and a couple of delayed train travelers.
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| Pub Art #1 |
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| Pub Art #2 |
Enough here to warrant coming back to find the remaining four. Although spending an afternoon in the Swan would also be recommended.
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