DRAUGHT BASS BACK IN CREWE. THE DOG’S *******.

April 2024. Crewe.

“What about the culture, Retired Martin ? Show us the culture !”.

First up, a reminder that Crewe is now a suburb of Wrexham,

a mere 88 years after their Welsh Cup win over (checks notes) Chester.

And here’s some nice blossom on Wistaston Road,

and a moderately interesting Christadelphian church with impressive turrets (or whatever they are).

See ! This blog’s more than just pubs. Bet you were hoping for a review of a continental breakfast.

I did that last time. And Lily’s closed soon after.

Anyway, having invested a whole £9.70 into Northern Rail’s coffers (advance fares) I needed to get my money’s worth out of my 100 minutes in Crewe, and as luck would have it a mere two minutes from my lone new GBG tick at the Earl of Chester lies a pre-emptive at the Duke of Bridgwater.

Ian at South Cheshire CAMRA, presumably the What Pub contact for the branch, was kind enough to give a prompt acknowledgement of my excited news confirming Bass in the Duke, and if there’s one thing CAMRA should be proud about it’s the pub descriptions freely available on the internet.

“”Open plan pub, respectful decor, good seating, sports and music TV, pool table.“. Excellent description.

There’s always a tiny frisson of excitement on entering a locals pub like the Duke, but I’m warmly welcomed and the landlady confirms that the Bass, a bargain £3.30, has now replaced Unicorn. It’s “a better pint“, apparently; I choose not to argue the point.

“Actually it’s only £2.80 today !” says the landlady, returning 50p. I feel like a thief.

“Is that because I’ve got a nice smile ?” I ask (I never smile).

“No, there’s a promotion on“. For what reason, I never find out.

Carling is the beer of choice, but the Bass is fine, even in a Worthington glass (Welsh readers – Whoosh), and by that I mean it’s fine. If it was shifting a few more pints an hour it would be a contender.

The pub itself is a corker, with Hi-Vis, a Dad and young Lad, and a few Old Boys. I love that mix. Lots of laughter, but no swearing, even when the Billy Ocean track turns out to be this one,

rather than “Red Light Spells Danger” or “Love Really Hurts Without You” which are what you expect in the Midlands or North, which just proves Crewe is Welsh.

I don’t even mind Winston.

But I just don’t wish to see Winston’s ******* when I’m putting beer scores into Untappd, thanks very much.

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.

15 thoughts on “DRAUGHT BASS BACK IN CREWE. THE DOG’S *******.”

  1. The whole world is a suburb of Wrexham these days. (2-1! Suck on that, Colchester. Our away form’s been so terrible I’ll take any away win)

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  4. Winston was waiting for you to comment on the Sparkler Debate that’s flared up yet again on Twitter. He clearly favours a dour non-sparkled pint, probably served in a dimpled bowl, but couldn’t get a rise out of you so has displayed his ******* in disgust. There’s a Winston in every pub.

    (The Real) Winston

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  6. I live in Crewe and know Ian (Bray) and that’s the first I’ve heard about Bass at the Duke. Will have to moan at him next time I see him !

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  7. There was a post on the National Bass Day Facebook group saying they’d found this pub unexpectedly closed one evening, which didn’t sound too promising.

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    1. I certainly enjoyed my Bass yesterday in the Waggon and Horses, Ibstock, Chequers, Ticknall, Roebuck, Burton on Trent and Railway, Stafford – and Pedigree in the Queens Head, Barwell. . 

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