retiredmartin

December 2023. Macclesfield.

Type “Macclesfield” into What Pub’s search engine (go on, now) and the first entries to come up give you a particular perspective on the town’s bar scene.

Lots of small keg bars leading to the top of the hill,

leaving the Proper Pubs down near the station for those who don’t fancy the climb.

Will and I assessed the rest of our Old Codgers group (membership subject to rigorous entry requirements) would still be choosing their lunch in the trendy Hyde’s bar down the hill, and after admiring the artisanal shopping on Chestergate,

and the frankly wonderful parish church with grumpy sun,

we decided to nip in and visit a bran’ new place. Will for Pubs Galore, me because it’s a pub.

Will was very excited by the Earl of Mercia,

and proceeded to give me an entertaining talk (with slides) on Ælfric Cild, Earl in 983, who was responsible for 377 deaths when commoners became tongue-tied attempting to pronounce his name.

It’s a cheery small bar, with upstairs pool table and art,

and better seating than our earlier, more trad, pub.

And the young staff were great, chatty and informative, filling in the gaps about Ælfric Cild the bar’s move from the Wet Led Bar over the road. Wet Led would be a great name for a Brunning & Price here. Or an Isle of Wight band.

The two cask beers come from down t’road in Bear Town, though the biggest tap is for Malaga’s lager,

and perhaps first out the pumps the cask wasn’t quite as good as idea as a can of “I Think Bob’s Dead” might have been.

But on reflection a can of 11% marshmallow stout would have been a huge mistake. I mean, what idiot drinks beers that strength on a pub crawl.