WEM – SIX OF THE BEST, AND NOT A CRAFT BEER ALL DAY

October 2023. Wem. Shropshire.

The last of our six Wem wonders came just north of centre,

as long as the Hawkestone Arms actually opened at 4. And why wouldn’t it, does What Pub or Facebbok ever lie ?

Actually their Facebook hadn’t been updated since April, when Sventertainment (great name) must have brought the house down.

Actually, under new ownership since May, though the new Facebook is filled entirely with music nights, which says a lot about pubgoing in the Marches.

Pleasingly there’s still that Greenalls sign (I think) that Old Mudgie knows so well.

and windows that allow you a glimpse into to the beery choice within.

Actually, quite a choice to conclude our day, though 3 of the 4 come from Plan B of Newport (Salop).

“Wot no craft beer !” asked our two pub legends, but sadly this was a keg free day.

We got another great welcome here, and (for me) the best cask of the day, cool and crisp (3.5).

More proper seating,

more sports memorabilia,

and a high quality,

and clearly much used, darts room.

In 90% of Lincolnshire this would be Pub of the Year, a GBG cert, here it will depend on folk like us to put of beer scores into What Pun to give it a shot at bringing Guide glory back to Wem.

Better put those NBSS scores in then…

Published by retiredmartin

Retired NHS, doing long walks around UK and the world to record the great bits. Focused on Good Beer Guide pubs and live music.

13 thoughts on “WEM – SIX OF THE BEST, AND NOT A CRAFT BEER ALL DAY”

      1. That’s comforting to know, Martin.

        Incidentally, someone said that I was mentioned in dispatches, in connection with a review of The Watch House in Lewisham, but I don’t recall writing one. Then again, some people walk in their sleep, and I knew someone who would make and drink a cup of tea.

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  2. It looks great but 9% of Scotland would be nearer the mark. Cask is doing better in some areas but there’s still loads of great pubs with high quality cask. As you know!

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      1. If Lincolnshire could attract the same number of tourists as Scotland I’m sure the pubs would serve better cask beer than they do now. The Hawkestone Arms would be pub of the year in many places, but it’s in Wem where nobody goes.

        My half of New Brew APA was another easy NBSS 3.5 that maybe deserved a 4 if only my jaded taste buds had been less so. Unfortunately a pub that opens at 4pm is always likely to be the last pub of a carefully curated research tour.

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      2. I could list a dozen pubs that I’ve missed since early July because they don’t open until 4pm and I’m on the bus back home by then.

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