retiredmartin

April 2024. Crewe.

I’d got my money’s worth out of the ticket to Crewe already, but with the Guide tick and a new Bass pub in the bag I still had 47 minutes before the train to Stockport and beyond.

So, saying goodbye to “Naughty Winston” and a soundtrack of OMD’s “If You Leave” I headed uncertainly into Crewe’s craft quarter.

You may laugh, but Hops, the Dog and Tom’s have all put the town on the craft map. Despite the offer of craft Doom Bar Jack’s Baps in the Cheese Hall,

I pressed on, judging that Tom’s Tap was my best chance of something inadvisable, if not bench seating.

Actually, the seating isn’t bad,

and the welcome is friendly, but the Mudg(i)es may struggle a bit with the beer,

though I’m impressed they’ve wrote it down as well as displayed it on a TV screen.

Just a half of their own gorgeous and chewy Double Stout, perfectly matched with ham and mustard crisps and a soundtrack of Fleetwood Mac’s Greatest Hits. Or it might have been rumours. They’re the same really, aren’t they ?

Suddenly I realised my train left in 20 minutes, Google said it was 24 minutes walk, and I really really needed a coffee.

“Just a pitstop ?” said a slightly alarmed lady as I took the glass back. You don’t hear that phrase nearly enough.