Another day, another Bass gem. The 3 weeks since “Freedom Day” have produced enough activity to keep our US readers jealous for years.
If they ever return to Leek so Dick can drink strong Belgian beers, I recommend the minute bus journey out to the Black Lion in Cheddleton in the underrated Staffordshire Moorlands.
Or you can take the heritage steam train from Froghall, as long as you’re dressed as a child from the 1920s.
Cheddleton is gorgeous, particularly down mysterious Hollow Lane with its views from St Edward the Confessor (of crimes against cask).
How heartening to see the traditional pub next to the parish church, heaving with life on a sunny Sunday evening.
It’s quieter inside,
and like my earlier tick in Bollington may be a bit too “tasteful” for some tastes.
But I love the basic pubbiness, the bench seating, the blues soundtrack. baby doll in the outside area.
And the Bass, in a cask line-up that will cause agonising decisions for many.
But not me. I saw 4 pints of Bass pulled while I was there, and this was one of the freshest pints in ages, AND I was offered a top-up. Served in the Derby style with tight head, an easy 3.5+. #CaskIsBack.
It felt like the whole village was there, and the barman had a brief conversation with all of them, mainly about heroic drinking sessions from the night before.
Wonderful, as is a photo of a pint of Bass with lacings. So here it is;
retiredmartin 
Praise be it b’aint in the Derby style…
Quarry tile flooring distracts from a multitude of modernisation sins, I love it, particularly when presented in the Red/Black (Derby?) style. Probably still a lot of this left underneath the laminate flooring of (IKEA style) recent refurbs.
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Yep, the quarry tiles and fireplace – the real things – win it for me too.
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Quarry tiles do it for me every time.
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The Red Lion just down the hill on the main road also has Bass and, in the bar at least, is a bit more traditionally pubby.
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You’re right. I thought the Red Lion looked very familiar but pubs between the A52 rarely get in the Guide these days. I always think Staffs is criminally underrated for pubs, as shown by the lack of GBG entries west of Stafford Paul. (Mind you, public transport is an issue !).
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I would prefer the Bass!
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The Bass looks magnificent…completely concur re Staffordshire Moorlands and lots of pubs n that neck of the woods survive and look like proper pubs – great find!
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