December 2023. Macclesfield. Barely a mile between these eight (8) pubs on the Old Codgers Macclesfield pub crawl (sorry, “curated hostelry exploration”, which frankly is a bit disappointing as it’s the street art and underpasses that make a place. Our penultimate pub was barely 3 minutes jog across the A523 (Paul Mudge speed), and the… Continue reading “Let there be light”. Or at least Old Tom. But there wasn’t.
A PINT OF BASS IN FRONT OF A ROARING FIRE. THE JOLLY SAILOR, MACCLESFIELD
December 2023. Macclesfield. Pub No. 6/7/4 (delete as appropriate) on the Old Codger Day Out in Macclesfield, as we reach the highlight (H for highlight on the map). Two years ago I didn’t even know the Jolly Sailor was a Bass shrine, and now it’s in the Top 20, if I’m honest, as much because… Continue reading A PINT OF BASS IN FRONT OF A ROARING FIRE. THE JOLLY SAILOR, MACCLESFIELD
A.O.R. AFTERNOON IN MACCLESFIELD QUEENS
December 2023. Macclesfield. Part of the Old Codgers Proper Day Out in Macclesfield (I’m their youthful chaperone) and a return to the trad family boozers that codgers treasure. The Queens Hotel has that stately look that Holt pubs often impart; it’s the first building you come across leaving the station though frankly I can only… Continue reading A.O.R. AFTERNOON IN MACCLESFIELD QUEENS
BEAR TOWN IN SILK TOWN
December 2023. Macclesfield. Type “Macclesfield” into What Pub’s search engine (go on, now) and the first entries to come up give you a particular perspective on the town’s bar scene. Lots of small keg bars leading to the top of the hill, leaving the Proper Pubs down near the station for those who don’t fancy… Continue reading BEAR TOWN IN SILK TOWN
“CHEWY”
December 2023. Macclesfield. “So, you spent an afternoon in Macclesfield, Retired Martin. What’s the maximum posts you can possibly squeeze out of that ?”. Er. Let’s continue; Will wanted to visit the Blackjack brewery bar aka Jack in the Box in the Picturedrome, which gives it at least three potential different names to confuse GBG… Continue reading “CHEWY”
MACC, MACC WILL TEAR US APART, AGAIN
December 2023. Macclesfield. One of the inevitabilities of an Old Codger’s Day Out is that at some point we’ll see a schism between trad men and crafties, and only two pubs into Macclesfield we saw a break from the Official Itinerary. Actually, that schedule had assumed a split due to the competing luncheon attractions of… Continue reading MACC, MACC WILL TEAR US APART, AGAIN
SHEFFIELD HATTER PUTS A COAT OVER THE SPEAKER IN THE CASTLE
December 2023. Macclesfield. A busy schedule for the Old Codgers trip to Macclesfield, so a good job for some that all the pubs were next door to each other. Actually, that was one of my minor issues with the day, no real chance to stretch the legs and visit the feral suburbs of Cheshire’s silk… Continue reading SHEFFIELD HATTER PUTS A COAT OVER THE SPEAKER IN THE CASTLE
I’D RATHER MACC…
December 2023. Macclesfield. The Beer and Pubs Forum arranged a Big Day Out in Macclesfield, in part to allow Stafford Paul to attempt a world record of Old Tom pints in a day or something. I’d have liked to go, but Mum had something that required my presence on that Tuesday. And then, magically, I… Continue reading I’D RATHER MACC…
THE VIEW FROM THE BLAKE
December 2023. Sheffield. Winter came early to Walkley, a layer of snow on Sunday scuppering any exciting travel plans we might have had (though oddly Manchester had escaped). The snow, which never seems to last long here (good), was clearing on Monday before I could emulate the Tynemouth Lodge’s Bass Snowman. By 4pm I’d done… Continue reading THE VIEW FROM THE BLAKE
£21 A PINT ! AND WORTH EVERY PENNY.
December 2023. Sheffield. The Rutland is a singular pub, whatever that means, celebrating the start of Whamageddon by replacing the lyrics of “L*** C********” with Band Aid. And giving Sheffield a US keg takeover anchored by their most expensive beer yet. Just so Beer Twitter can say “How Much !!!” and “You don’t drink it… Continue reading £21 A PINT ! AND WORTH EVERY PENNY.
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