retiredmartin

May 2026. Congleton.

A first visit to Congleton in, ooh, four years. That was for a short-lived Brewhouse Tap north of town, and so is the Guide newbie.

Excitingly, the Beer Guide describes an exciting “alternative” route to the Throstle’s Nest.

Well, that sounds fun, and two miles takes me to opening time at 2.

Half a mile stroll along a busy Macclesfield canal to the sound of birdsong,

and then, just when you think you’re overtaking the boat,

a sharp left along the Biddulph Valley line, a gem of a walk, replete with the smells of summer.

Till you get to Buglawton, home to concrete works, skip hire and the recycling centre (aka tip). And one of the great pubs of the year.

There’s already half a dozen in two minutes before opening, but as at least three of them have had the Bass (note historic punp clip),

I sense I’m onto a winner.

The only slight downside is that those Old Boys are spread out along the giant bench seat in the main bar and I don’t feel quite confident enough to join them,

so I sit to the left. But what a room that is !

And what a tremendously fresh, chewy Bass. NBSS 4+ in old money, and “Very Good” just doesn’t seem enough.

I’m there long enough to see the custom double by hald-two, get a soundtrack of John (Cougar) Mellancamp and the Smashing Pumpkins, and explore a pub brimming with breweriana.

It’s got more than a touch of the Crown in Stockport that I only left an hour ago, and while I could have drunk the Bass all day* I was so impressed with the young landlord’s enthusiasm for the Fierce IPA I stopped for a second gorgeous pint and scratchings and took it all in.

And at 61 years old** I felt a tad emotional when this came on…

Classic song, classic pub.

*_{and I bet some do}

**_{I know ! I don’t believe it either !}