PRE-EMPTIVE AUDLEM – THE SHROPPIE FLY

March 2024. Audlem.

An hour in Audlem before my bran’ new GBG opened a mile up the road, just time for a coffee, though that was harder than you’d think as a village of 1,991 souls apparently needs three (3) churches and two (2) funeral directors and one (1) karate instructor.

Mrs RM had felt a bit harassed in the church by kindly folk who no doubt only wanted to talk to us about St James’s embattled clerestory, louvred belfry windows and camber beamed nave. There are more obscure words to describe English churches than there are words to define craft beer.

Here she is, trying to enter by the wrong entrance.

And I think she’d have left Audlem in a hurry till I persuaded her to visit Oceanwave fish van in the car park of the Lord Combermere.

I think they saw us coming, two jars of Southport potted shrimps and two fillets of sea bass (no relation) coming to a round £20, though frankly when we pan grilled the fillets that evening it seemed a bargain.

My big spreadsheet of 13k GBG pub visits shows I’d been to the Combermere, and the Bridge Inn, so probably a third visit today,

and worth coming back to see those Marston’s windows.

Audlem’s must get a fair few visitors by canal,

and the Shroppie Fly a few yards up the towpath did sound very familiar, even though it’s so far avoided the Beer Guide.

We popped in for coffee (with free almond cookie !), shared a half of Salopian Gold (cool, tasty, NBSS 3) just in case it makes GBG25,

and were enormously impressed with a smart canal side pub clearly aimed at diners but blokes at the bar on their second pint by 10:45.

Yes, a 10:30 opener justifying those hours with local trade. What a delight.

As is this photo of Mumford and Sons from their recent tour of National Trust properties.

A pint for identifying the building.

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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.

12 thoughts on “PRE-EMPTIVE AUDLEM – THE SHROPPIE FLY”

  2. Been in the Shoppie Fly many times, usually prior to tackling the rest of the Audlem flight. The beer has always been OK, but never consistently good. As a pub I prefer the Bridge, but it’s Marstons so I prefer the beer in here as it’s been serving Shroppie Gold for many years now.

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    1. Dave got there 3 hours ago, Bill, so you’ll have to share the Doom Bar at a location half way between you.

      Looking at your respective locations it seems that the Atsanik Lodge, Nain, Newfoundland is closest to half-way between you, and I’ve arranged for a pint of Doom Bar to be dispatched there in time for Christmas.

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  4. “and worth coming back to see those Marston’s windows”.

    Yes from between 1898 when they took over Thompsons and 1909 when they also took over Eversheds.

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  5. Sorry to disable you, but the building is Ford Green Hall, Stoke-on-Trent. I am standing on the right, c.1992.

    Trevor Bailey

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    1. What a handsome building ! We actually drove past it on the way from Leek but I don’t think I’ve been in.

      Pint of Doom Bar as the prize is your if you want it, Trevor. Bill and Dave will need to return theirs.

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