April 2024. Biddulph. A last Staffordshire Beer Guide 2024 tick, without fanfare but actually quite exciting to visit Biddulph. I thought so, anyway, with Mow Cop, the Biddulph Gardens and who knows what other north Staffs treasures to explore. Even Little Moreton Hall on my doorstep. And what a view from my parking space lane.… Continue reading “Biddulph’s first ever pub to feature in the Good Beer Guide”. Can that be true ?
Month: April 2024
ALL THE PUBS IN MANCHESTER’S BEER BOOK – SURESHOT, PICCADILLY
April 2024. Manchester. From Crewe via Stockport to Piccadilly for City v Villa, but first another entry in Matthew Curtis’s Guide to Manchester Beer, a recommended next book to tick once you’ve done the GBG. Finding a pub on matchday is always tricky, though City fans on Blue Moon seem oddly drawn to places called… Continue reading ALL THE PUBS IN MANCHESTER’S BEER BOOK – SURESHOT, PICCADILLY
A PIT STOP AT TOM’S TAP
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… Continue reading A PIT STOP AT TOM’S TAP
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… Continue reading DRAUGHT BASS BACK IN CREWE. THE DOG’S *******.
A TRAIN TO CREWE, A WALK IN CREWE, A PUB IN CREWE
April 2024. Crewe. Yes, it’s back to Crewe for a penultimate GBG24 Cheshire tick. Not a difficult place to get to (40 minutes from Stockport), just an irritating one. Wednesday presented a 20:15 kick-off at the Etihad (WTF !); plenty of time for a detour to your favourite railway town and back. Two out of… Continue reading A TRAIN TO CREWE, A WALK IN CREWE, A PUB IN CREWE
ROADSTUNNER IN THE RHUBARB TRIANGLE
March 2024. Wrenthorpe. Wakefield. You can tell a good “community pub” a mile off. Their Facebook posts will alternate between live music, live football and live beer; and Wrenthorpe’s New Wheel, a Wakefield award winner (and therefore pre-emptive tip), is a classic of its kind. An ultra rare visit to Wakefield’s north-eastern suburbs, first since… Continue reading ROADSTUNNER IN THE RHUBARB TRIANGLE
ALL THE PUBS IN THE MANCHESTER BEER BOOK – FIERCE BAR
March 2024. Manchester. Despite a disastrous season which has seen City 3 points from the top of the League, in the FA Cup semi-final and Champions League Quarter-Final and winning the World Cup and Super Cup, all while selling Asahi below £5 a pint at the Etihad, I renewed my season ticket for 2024-25. Price… Continue reading ALL THE PUBS IN THE MANCHESTER BEER BOOK – FIERCE BAR
WHO MADE “DIXON’S OLD DIABOLICAL” ?
March 2024. Sheffield. A second pub on Sheffield’s Folk Weekend, though sadly/happily not in The Perch, which was completely packed for the Youth Sessions. And they say young people spend all their time playing Minecraft. The city was packed with folk carrying guitars and pushing suitcases, and I immediately knew I’d have a job getting… Continue reading WHO MADE “DIXON’S OLD DIABOLICAL” ?
NATIONAL BASS DAY 2024
March 2024. Sheffield. Ian had arranged National Bass Day for the 30th March, so it didn’t take the gloss of the Doom Bar celebrations two days later. Only one place in Sheffield, and by good fortune it coincided with the Folk Weekend. I guarantee you won’t find a better collection of pubs to hold a… Continue reading NATIONAL BASS DAY 2024
TOP 100 PUBS – THE LITTLE MAN, WETTENHALL
`March 2024. Wettenhall. Winsford. A second successive new GBG entry in a remote Cheshire village that I’d never heard of, and acquiring this new knowledge is what makes following the Guide the nation’s Number 1 social activity. Between the salt towns of Winsford and the rambling railway station of Crewe, Wettenhall (looks like Cholmondeston to… Continue reading TOP 100 PUBS – THE LITTLE MAN, WETTENHALL
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