A late Christmas present for Pub Curmudgeon, who will be chomping at the bit to critique my five for Cheshire (“Wot no Frodsham !”), but at least there’s no gastro horrors.
He’ll agree with this first one.
Macclesfield – Jolly Sailor (last visited 2023)
In fact, I was highly tempted to steal Mudgie’s wonderful pic of the pint in front of the fire to head up this post, but us bloggers live in a highly litigious world, so here’s one I did earlier.
As cosy as it gets, roaring fire, high quality Bass; where had it been hiding all my life ?
Pub 2 is also Mudg(i)e friendly,
Chester – Olde Cottage (last visited 2018)
Very similar in character to the Sailors, lacking only a permanent Bass (and apparently a pub cat that needs its beauty sleep), but it’s your go-to place for “bland beer” and banter.
Best Otter I’ve ever had, right there. What could they do with a Doom Bar ?
Lymm – Saddlers Arms (last visited 2021)
Another unspoilt town local, this one by the canal, and I recommend a trip to Lymm which combines family brewers with craft beer places pretty well, without much GBG attention over the years.
The Saddlers barmaid is just brilliant, joshing the gentlefolk.
“There you go, Mary” she says, taking her empty glass and depositing a fresh pint.
“I ain’t finished yet !” says Mary. I think she means the old glass.
“Sorry Mary“
“No, I mean my story“.
Next up is a pub that Mudgie visited this year, but I’ve been attempting a 3rd trip for a decade.
Little Neston – Harp (last visited 2014, I think)
So I’m not sure how much you can rely on my NBSS 4.5 beer ratings at this GBG regular, but the setting by the Dee marshes and the cosiness of the Harp are unarguable.
These first four are largely traditional “Proper Pubs“, and I could and probably should have picked another rural heritage pub; pick one from the Harrington Arms, Bhurtpore and Travellers Rest.
But I wanted to have something for south Cheshire, something to showcase the new-found confidence of crafty Crewe, in fact.
Tom’s Tap, Crewe (last visited 2019)
I could have picked Hops instead, but the beer and welcome at Tom’s were tremendous, and sometime you want a break from a cosy old boozer selling BBBs.
Don’t you ?
Over to you for Pub No 6. Votes for the Crewe Hero will be burnt.
retiredmartin 
Lodge in Alsager is a proper pub under the stewardship of the ex owner of the Gresley Arms at Alsagers Bank (no relation). Although Alsager feels like Stoke overspill, it’s technically Cheshire.
Previously interesting Crewe pubs are not as they are were, I’m afraid.
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I very nearly put the Lodge in.
We visited in late July. A classic smartish all-rounder with good Bass (90% of sales were continental lager though). Alsager was a great night out.
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Good to see you’ve included Tom’s Tap. It’s run by Sean Ayling and his wife Jackie, both of whom I know from their previous involvement with Pig & Porter Brewery.
The latter are based at High Brooms, and still going strong with their beers often featuring in local pubs.
Sean knew he was talking a bit of a gamble when he took on the Tap, but it seems to have paid off for him. 🍻👍
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I’d be the first to admit that my home county isn’t among Britain’s top pub counties.
Happy to go along with the Jolly Sailor, Olde Cottage and Harp – I don’t know the other two. A few more suggestions might include the Harrington Arms at Gawsworth (although it’s gone a bit gastro now), the currently-closed Traveller’s Rest at Alpraham and Bird in Hand at Mobberley, and the Olde Boot in Chester.
Many of the traditional character pubs that once existed have either closed or “gone over to food”.
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Not even one Stockport pub ?
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You beat Peter to that line !
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It’s “GBG counties”, not historic counties. Otherwise we could also have the Magazine at New Brighton.
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I think Paul knows that well and is showing his “troublemaker” side (ask Tim Martin about that). ;-0
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Waves breaking over the Doom Bar today:
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Etu,
97 pints of it so far this year.
I’m NOT minded to get out for another three to make the ton.
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Paul, I’ve had between *** and **** pints of a local established family brewer’s bitter over the last year, with a scattering of others. They’d include maybe fifty Leeds Pales and a dozen or so Tributes.
I can’t think of any target numbers in any case, so happily I’m unburdened in that regard.
I hope that you and your family have had a very pleasant Christmas, and wish you – and everyone reading this site – a delectable 2024.
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Where *** = 001 and **** = 9,999.
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If you like Martin 😆
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Late shout for the Castle in Macclesfield after years closed a re-birth.
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Well the Castle is a victim of my informal “one entry per town” rule !
Yes, it was brilliant (again) on our visit only this month.
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I thought the Castle was far too self-conscious. Needs Tetley’s as a regular beer and some old boys drinking it.
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I would add
The Lower Angel in Warrington
The Red Lion in Stockton Heath
In our opinion, The Saddlers is not even in the Top 6 in Lymm, let alone Cheshire. Brewery Tap across the road is very good though
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What are you judging the Saddlers on, Tony ?
It was in the Good Beer Guide and the atmosphere was incredibly welcoming and the locals entertaining, features I rate higher than the number of beers on the bar 🍺
That said, I rate the Brewery tap highly as well.
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I’m probably being a bit unfair really as not been in for maybe more than five years. It was just a couple of ropey pints and a lack of customers when everywhere else was full. But like I say a few years ago, so probably give it another go sometime.
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Fair enough Tony ! I think that shows how pubs subtly change over time.
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And agree on Lower Angel and Red Lion, both corkers.
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I did think of the Lower Angel, but haven’t been there for many years. I don’t think the Red Lion is the same since its “refurbishment” by Thwaites.
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