July 2025. Macclesfield.
An overnighter in Sutton Hall just south of Macclesfield, where the rain stopped for only the second time since 1988. The walk into town along the canal towpath was pleasant,
and gave Mrs RM welcome respite from those Sheffield hills.
The problem was the pubs, far too many of them, and it took immense willpower to walk past a re-opened Dolphin.
“Is there going to be any food ?” asks Mrs RM.
RedWillow’s bar promises harissa flatbreads and shiraz salads and it’s a GBG entry that the codgers have consciously avoided on three crawls due to “craft”, so it’s time for a visit.
Shockingly, my first since 2013, pre-blog, so it must have been around awhile. A good mix of custom and really lovely young staff, a Mrs RM sort of place.
I think of RedWillow the way I do about Thornbridge. Top marks for effort, smart bars, but sometimes trying too hard with all those funny beer names. Perhaps RedWillow should start brewing Websters Bitter and serve their beer from electric pumps or something.
With its modern seating and beer board I can see why the casketeers prefer the delights of Sunderland Street around the corner,
but that West Coast Pale and the Headless were both cool, crisp, 4.5 pints.
In fairness, I reckon pubs have coped pretty well with the Great Heat of ’25, and this was cellar cool stuff.
And frankly, we need bars where you go “Taste this, this is the pinnacle of the brewer’s art” or whatever.
Sadly the harissa flatbreads and shiraz salads have been replaced by the rather less prosaic “hot dog and chips”, but after three rapid pints in the heat that was more than fine.
Right, nearly half four. Where now ?
retiredmartin 
Mrs RM might have liked the food in Alberts where Lowry was drinking well while you three were across the road last month.
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Yes, Alberts would have been a good back-up. Or our final pub. Which you can probably guess.
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Alberts? I was getting muddled up with Alfred’s, where the two Mudgies and I enjoyed a good lunch, plus some Hydes beer, back in December 2023
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Yes, Alfreds, not Alberts. The Mandarina was easier to remember.
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I was confusing the Mandarina with Alfreds. And I can’t remember what that pub opposite the Jolly Sailor was called !
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The Mandarina became Alfreds. I think the Snowgoose is nearly opposite the Jolly Sailor with G & J Muckers a bit further along towards the railway station.
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G & J Muckers ? Who’s ever remembering that name ! Friendly pub, though.
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Yes, and absolutely no need to say which beer we all wanted.
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Another high class photo at the top of the blog, you’ve made those two pints of Websters look really gorgeous.
Well done for remembering that slogan. “Taste this, this is the pinnacle of the brewer’s art” is often on the tip of my tongue, but I’m usually too busy drinking to actually say it.
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I hear Websters is highly regarded by CAMRA members, it just needs to be brewed by an indie.
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