March 2026. Burton-on-Trent.
A third Bass in rapid succession, perhaps too rapid, but breaking up pints with espressos leads to madness.
The “We ❤️ Bass” Facebook page had suggested the Roebuck and the Devvie for the best 🔺 in Burton, but I was heading east of town,
over the actual Burton Bridge, past Stapenhill cemetery,
to a pub that self proclaims its superiority.
Well, the Elms was the best tonight.
Friday evening trade helps, and there was fantastic Bass trade here, the sort you get in the Vaults or the Star.
As different from the flat🔺in the Coopers and the more trad thick head in Burton Bridge, this settled to a tight, silky head that almost made it Top 10 (NBSS 4.5).
If anything, the pub was even better than the Bass, a mix of rooms reminding me of the Coachmakers in Hanley, another 🔺stronghold.
A joyous soundtrack,
and joyous locals in the Gents.
“Y’allright mate ?”
“Course, Friday innit ?
retiredmartin 
I’m honestly not sure if I’ve had a Bass but I shall make a point of doing so, now!
How does it compare to Smithwicks?
Ever heard of Macardle’s ale ? (It’s brewed in Dundalk, Ireland, I believe.)
Cheers!
James
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Well worth the little walk that one certainly out of the town centre. I remember staying in a pub on the left corner across the road once you crossed the bridge going out of town. It was a Hardy and Hansons and has a dormitory room with about 10 single beds in it great cheap place to stay. I’m sure someone will help me with the pubs name.
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Definitely a classic, and well worth the walk out from the centre of Burton and across the Trent Bridge. After what seemed like weeks of rain, it was a gloriously sunny, March day, back in 2020, a day full of joy and high expectations for future.
Such a shame then for COVID to have been lurking round corner, and sad too for us to have said goodbye to both Peters (Pub Curmudgeon and Sterchley Pete).
..
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