March 2024. Rochdale.
Three unconventional pubs, time for a genuine classic now.
The Baum is the first stop on the town’s upcoming beer trail;
an actual National Pub of the Year, though perhaps not one mentioned in the same breath as the Kelham Island Tavern or Fat Cat.
Mrs RM had been in awe of my will power earlier that afternoon, as we stood outside the Baum but saved it for Blackpool Jane,
and instead popped in the Pioneers Museum,
where a charming German host was showing Japanese visitors the history of the Co-operative societies formed here and spread throughout the world.
It’s a little gem, social history in every sense, with enough memories of Co-op stamps,
and tapioca to please the easily bored.
I sense Jane would have loved the Pioneers Museum; she needs to come back for that and the Town Hall and the new micros that will inevitably have opened up between visit.
For now, the Baum was enough, though Jane was also taken with the ghost tours next door. Remember, kids, there’s no such thing as ghosts, except in Maidenhead.
Blimey, it’s gorgeous. Particularly the Wilson’s mirror. If only someone would revive Wilsons, said no-one ever.
A serious beer range in the Baum, reminiscent of Tonbridge’s Nelson Arms,
but it was doing decent trade on a wet Wednesday, with the burger and chips keeping family groups as happy as the topers. Completely unpretentious, I thought.
and Mrs RM’s “Under the Eildon Tree” marginally beat my Lancashire Bitter from down the road (NBSS 3.5+).
Someone had to drink those Yonder cans looking lonely in the craft fridge, didn’t they Jane ?
retiredmartin 
Been my local for over 40 years!
Brids Cross are brewing at Serious just up the road as well.
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It must be a dozen years since my only visit, well before I started a blog. Lovely to do a more leisurely revisit. A serious beer pub that’s definitely a pub.
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I haven’t been in since Friday! :-))
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That’s why pubs die !
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As someone who has been following your blog for quite a while, I’m delighted to see that you enjoyed a beer from my new little Rochdale based brewery.
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My wife enjoyed your beer in the Baum and the Flying Horse and I had a taste in both ! Congratulations and best wishes for getting outlets for your beers. Good to see the new pubs putting local beers on the bar.
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Rochdale has got some great pubs.Very supportive of local breweries. Also the local brewers have been very welcoming to me as a newcomer.
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Great to hear.
I see Our Gracie’s had your beer as well.
Hope the Ale Trail this weekend brings in custom.
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Always good to hear nice things about Rochdale pubs. Glad you enjoyed them. Let me know next time you are in the area.
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I don’t know about Martin but I’ll make a day of it next time, not an hour.
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I’m sure Peter would be delighted to join us, Paul. We should fix a date if we’re all in Dundee.
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We didn’t REALLY wait till you were in Australia to visit, Peter !
Would definitely revisit Bombay Brew for curry.
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We’ll be in Oldham (visiting family) over the Easter weekend. Disappointingly the Town Hall will be closed. The Baum definitely looks worth a trip out too while we’re so close.
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Perish the thought. See you in Dundee.
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Yes, all being well.
Maybe a Doom Bar at the Premier Inn !
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