© 2011 Chester & South Clwyd CAMRA    webmaster@chestercamra.co.uk

Made by Serif

Serving Chester, Wrexham, Llangollen and Ellesmere Port areas

Chester Beer and Wine Win Again! (11 February 2011)

Congratulations to Hoole-based Chester Beer and Wine, who have won the National Independent Beer Retailer of the Year for 2011.  It is great recognition from a national body who obviously appreciate the availability of over 300 beers from around the UK and indeed the world.  Well done all at CBaW!

Steve (left) and Sam (second right) from Chester Beer and Wine receive their award.

 

Revamped Red Lion (11 February 2011)

The Red Lion on Northgate Street in Chester is currently closed for refurbishment, but it's not just a lick of paint that it's getting.  The pub is part of the Nicholson’s chain and is getting a complete revamp, supervised by the new landlady who has transferred from the Philharmonic in Liverpool.  Nicholsons are known for supporting real ale and our spies have already spotted around a dozen handpumps fitted on the bar so we have high hopes for the new venture.  The company state that 7 real ales will be offered and the current open date we have is 23rd February so welcome to this exciting new additon to the City drinking scene.

 

Pub of the Season Winner (27 January 2011)

The branch recently voted for their Pub of the Season for Winter 2010 and the clear winner was the Pied Bull in Chester.  The pub has shown a great commitment to real ale over the past year or so with Luke Smith being the driving force behind the increase in ale sales.  Six beers are on the handpumps, mainly from local breweries and includes their own house brew produced by Facers Brewery.  Several beer festivals have been held at the pub, the last one showcasing Brewdog's range of ales where representatives from the brewery attended to talk about their beers and offer tastings.   Look out for their next festival, scheduled for April 28th to May 2nd.  Congratulations to Luke and all the team at the Pied Bull!

 

South Cheshire Survey Trip (26 January 2011)

A nearly full minibus departed from Chester to take in a tour of  the pubs in the South Cheshire part of our branch area.  Our first stop was a decent distance along the twisting country lanes of Cheshire to the Bull at Shocklach.  This is a fine country pub (runner-up in the branch Pub of the Year 2010), and has several rooms adjoining the main bar area, mostly filled with diners, but exuding a relaxed and welcoming ambience.  A striking feature of this pub is the highly decorative tiled floor.

Beers available were: Purple Moose -Snowdonia 3.6%; Sandstone Edge; Weetwood-Cheshire Cat and Stonehouse - Station Bitter.  The popular choice was the 'Snowdonia' and was found to be as good as ever.

Next stop was the Queen's Head at Sarn which sits on the England-Wales border next to the charming Wych Brook.  Although featuring a prominent Marstons sign on the pub wall it is a free house selling: Timothy Taylor's -Golden Best; Burton Bitter; and Stonehouse Station Bitter.  It is a very busy pub popular with the locals and featuring oak beams, real fires and separate dining area.  

Over the border next into Wales and down more country roads to the Hanmer Arms Hotel in Hanmer, well worth a slight diversion out of Cheshire!  The bar area is small, with most of the ground floor space allocated for dining, but on the handpumps were: Timothy Taylor  -Landlord; Stonehouse  - Station Bitter and Black Sheep Bitter.  Popular choice of the group was the very lively Station Bitter at £3-00 a pint.

Back on the bus to Cheshire and the Willey Moor Lock Tavern - a delightful pub situated by the canal locks and featuring an interesting collection of teapots.  Beers on offer were: Salopian -Shropshire Gold; Green King - Abbot & IPA all at £2-70 /pint.  Most of the group had the Shropshire Gold but general opinion was that it was probably getting passed its best.

Our final stop was the Blue Bell at Tushingham where we were greeted by friendly dogs and a very welcome platters of sandwiches.  This is a very popular local's pub serving : Salopian - Shropshire Gold; and Tatton - Blonde; plus a spare pump.  Beers were priced at £2-65/pint and both in very good condition.  Being the final pub of the evening we were able to try both beers to wash down the excellent sandwiches, a fitting end to a pleasant evening!

 

Hooton update (14 December 2010)

News of another closure in the branch I’m afraid.  The Hooton Arms in Hooton has closed it’s doors again after a promising recent reopening.  Handy for the train station on the Liverpool line this, sad to see it shut.  Let’s hope it has a future as a pub.  Contrasting fortunes for The Chimneys in Hooton though.  Although heavy on food, there is a cosy area in front of a real fire for dinkers.  Three real ales are on offer including a recent Otley O Garden.  Well worth a visit we reckon.

 

Chester pub news (27 November 2010)

Sad news of more pub closures around the city I’m afraid.  The Peacock in Boughton has closed it’s doors, with the word being that it is being lined up for flats.  Let’s hope this isn’t the case as this place could surely be a goldmine if it  wasn’t owned by a pub company.  Similar story from  The Greyhound in Saughall - another pub that should be the hub of the community but the landlords find they can’t make ends meet.  We’ve also learned that The Bouverie on Garden Lane has been put up for sale.  OK, it’s not a cask ale haven but could be!  Any prospective purchasers can find the details here.

Better news from the Eight Rights which has now been refurbished and opened under the curious name of The Little Owl.  Can’t say I’ve ever seen any of these birds flitting close by the Deva Link but there you go! By all accounts this Marston’s pub is now focused on dining with drinkers being served at their tables rather than at the bar.  Do let us know your experiences if you’ve been in.

 

Kelsall Beer Festival Report (12 November 2010)

A group of 12 thirsty drinkers arrived about 8.30pm at the Kelsall beer festival held in the Community Centre.  This was half an hour later than planned due a late mini-bus so it was straight to the bar to sample the first of the 25 beers on offer!  The venue was laid out with long tables and chairs with standing room near the bar area, however all the tables had been taken by the time we arrived so it was standing room only.  It was also quite dark , just a few spot lights on the stage area, so quite difficult to read the beer programme, I'm sure the people serving had a similar problem!

Most of the beers were from local breweries but a few from Scotland and The South.  About half the beers were served through handpumps, the others via gravity.

I tried a couple of beers from 'Brewing 8 Miles High' a local Kelsall brewery which I've not seen before and enjoyed their Warm Welcome, 4.3% a most enjoyable amber bitter, and School Daze 4.5%, a pleasant golden ale.  Others beers tried were:  Blakemere - Summit Special, 5% (good); Blue Ball - Black Hawk, 4.2% (not much flavour); Blue Monkey - Original 3.6% (OK); Liverpool Organic - Johnny handsome, 4% (fresh, hoppy beer); Prospect - Blinding Light, 4.2% (OK).  

That's it!!  Time to get on the bus again, but not forgetting to vote for my favourite beer which was the Warm Welcome - a very tasty malty beer from the local brewery.  

I think some of us ended up in the Mill for a final drink, memory failing at this stage.

Should have gone back on the Saturday night to try more of the beers but I went to Congleton for another CAMRA related event - but that's another story!

 

 

Chester Ghost Walk (10 November 2010)

   For Halloween weekend I devised a Ghostly Ale Trail around Chester visiting 6 haunted pubs en-route.  We gathered at The Coach House on the Town Hall Square which had been visited by the ghost of an old man in 1988.  Undaunted we tried Gales Seafarer's Bitter which made a welcome change from the usual Thwaightes beers.  At 8pm prompt we set off for a short walk to the Pied Bull, eerily there were 13 of us - sheer coincidence?  On arrival the promised spooky beer had sold out earlier in the week so I had Sandstone Edge.  The pub cellar is haunted by a landlord who slipped on the stairs in 1690 and fell onto the knife he was carrying.  

    We left at 8.40pm and walked a meandering route: past the Bluebell Inn, haunted by the ghost of a young girl waiting for her soldier lover to return from the battle of Rowton Moor; through the Abbey Gateway past the haunted Georgian houses of Abbey Square, up onto The Walls to the Eastgate then down St. John Street to The Marlbororough, carefully checking the spelling of the pub name before entering!  In 1885 a depressed landlord slit his throat in the cellar and his gurgles can still be heard today!  During renovation work in 1985 a signwriter was restoring the pub sign and went down to the cellar but came back seconds later in a distressed state, hurridly finished the sign, forgetting he had already painted the 'OR' and repeated it, then left.  The sign remains today with the extra letters.  A good range of Stonehouse beers available in this pub and I always like the Off The Rails, others has the KPA.

   Keeping to a tight schedule we left at 9.30pm walked past the ghostly silhouette of St John's Church, along Pepper St. Pausing at the old Habitat building which used to be a garage/petrol station haunted by 2 monks, so people never liked working the night shift!  Our destination was The Falcon Inn, once the town house of the Grosvenor family and haunted by an ill treated servant girl thrown out on the street by her employer. She takes her revenge by throwing glasses and beer mats around the bar.  Sam Smith's Old Brewery Bitter was available at a very reasonable £1-51 a pint, and not a bad beer.  

    At 10.15pm we walked down Lower Bridge St. towards The Old King's Head but pausing to see if we could spot the ghost of a headless Cavalier leaning out of a top window of Tudor House.  By popular opinion of the group, which had diminished in size at this stage, we didn't go in for a drink but walked up Castle Street then into St. Mary's Hill, passing the haunted Old Rectory and listening for the sounds of ghostly cattle lowing for their dead master to milk them.  Our final destination was the Bear and Billet at the bottom of Lower Bridge St. and we had time for additional beers here having missed out the Old King's Head, but gentlemen had to be aware of a ghostly lady greeting them on the stairs!

 

SIBA Great Northern Beer Festival (10 November 2010)

  The SIBA Great Northern Beer festival was held in quite a posh setting - the Palace Hotel, Manchester - with deep pile carpets and silver service cutlery with your pie and peas! 300 beers were available but served via 56 handpumps in rotation. Only 1 firkin of each so when it's gone - it's gone!

  My favourite was Allendale Winter Dunkell, 4.7% dark lager but very tasty, with 2nd choice of Stringers Genuine Stunning, a 6.5% fruity brown bitter.  The trick was to choose your beer from what was available on the handpumps, not from the guide otherwise sod's law says the beer you've chosen won't be on!

  According to my tick sheet I tried 11 beers (halves of course!), and Lees Witches Brew in a pub afterwards - but can't remember which pub.    Oz Clark of TV fame was doing filming, tasting beers and trying a yard of Ale - a task beyond him as it was finished off by a nearby punter!

 

More awards for The Tap (22 October 2010)

The Brewery Tap has won more national acclaim, winning two National  Pub Design awards!

They have won both the 'English Heritage Conservation' category and the 'Conversion to Pub Use' category.  Click on the link to read  more about this excellent achievement, and to see pictures of the presentations.  Well done to the Tap!

 

Salopian Brewery visit (9 October 2010)

Back to Shropshire again, but this time on the train.  We departed Chester on the 11.22 to Shrewsbury, collected a few of our South Clwyd branch members at Wrexham, arriving in Shrewsbury at 12.30.  A short bus journey took us to the Salopian Brewery located in an old dairy, but there was no evidence of cows, or green fields!  Our host was Jake who quickly quenched our thirsts with pints of Oracle.  He explained the business side of being a small brewer and the eye-watering amounts of duty paid to the tax man.  We were then shown the main brewing plant which has a capacity of 18 barrels and they brew 4 or 5 times a week.  The main beers under the Salopian banner are:  Oracle, Darwin's Origin, Gold, Hop Twister, Lemon Dream and Golden Thread.  They also make seasonal beers and special beers under the name of Blackwater Brewery but a shortage of casks restricts such brews.  At the cask cold store we were invited to help ourselves to Darwin's Origin straight from the barrel - bliss!   We thanked our host for his hospitality and caught the bus back to Shrewsbury, heading for the Salopian Bar.  This had a modern, sports bar feel to it, but had 7 beers on handpumps and 8 ciders!  I tried the Yorkshire Terrier, 4.2%.

Next was the Three Fishes, another pub with 7 handpumps, 1 with cider, and a good pint of Hobsons Mild.  Very traditional style of pub with interesting old pictures of local scenes.  On to The Loggerheads which had Bass and Old Empire at 5.7% so a half was in order!  A special feature was the Gents Only lounge, but only until 1975.

 

We sailed into the popular Admiral Benbow on a high tide where we were greeted with a choice of 8 beers.  Tried the Old Recumbent at 4.7%, think it was OK.  Our final pub was just next door - the Coach & Horses.   A more traditional pub than the Admiral Benbow with good choice of beers but the memory was a bit hazy at this point of the evening!  Somehow we found our way to the station and a train back to Chester, arriving just in time for a last pint at the new Cellar Bar in City Road.

 

Shropshire Social Report (2 October 2010)

Another sunny day, just right for a tour of Shropshire pubs.   Our first destination was Cheswardine, a small village to the south-east of Market Drayton.  Here we found the Red Lion, a pub with lots of Olde Worlde charm, low beams and a real fire.  There were 3 separate rooms each with its own character.  The pub is now owned by John & Sheila but was originally a Marston's tied house selling their range of beers.  When the freehold came up for sale the couple bought it and introduced guest beers.  However John thought he could brew beer cheaper than buying it wholesale so bought a 2 1/2 barrel brewing plant installed in a new building behind the pub.  The style of the building lends itself to conversion into a domestic dwelling should the brewery business fail!

So began the Lions Tale brewery offering 3 distinct brews: - Blooming Blonde, a light 4.1% bitter; Lionbru, a dark bitter at 4.1% and Ches Brewnette a 4.5% stout.  All beers were available on the bar and well received by our group, especially at only

£2-10 a pint!  

Somewhat reluctantly we left this charming pub and headed off to Madeley, just south of Telford, and entered the All Nations.  A popular pub set in a commanding position on a hill and featuring own brewed beers.  On offer were: Dabley Ale, 3.8%; Coalport Dodger Mild, 3.5%; Dobley Gold, 5% and Weetwood Old Dog, plus a good selection of filled rolls.  Again bargain beers at £2-10 a pint.

 

Back on the bus to Ye Olde Robin Hood Inn at Ironbridge overlooking the river Severn at Jackfield Bridge  Very popular lunchtime pub with the locals tucking into very tempting food - shouldn't have had that roll!  Another charming old pub retaining lots of character with low beams and divided into a main bar plus 2 snugs.  A good selection of Holden beers were available including Golden Glow and Black Country Bitter.  

 

Onwards to the Golden Ball, tucked away off the Telford to Ironbridge road.  The pub itself appears to be part of the local cottages and popular with local inhabitants.  Interesting dining room off the back bar with stone floor and ornate shape of door.

Adventurous menu with seared ostrich available!

Three ales on offer: Three Tuns XXX, Wye Valley HPA and Everards Tiger.

 

We then headed to Bridnorth where we stayed for a couple of hours to explore pubs of our own choice at leisure.  We all started at the Railwayman's Arms on the station of the Severn Valley Railway, so lots of railway memorabilia and steam trains just shutting down for the day!  A good selection of beers available including Dodger Mild, D&B Porter and Bathmans Bitter.  The porter was very good.

In the town centre I visited The Harp, a quiet locals pub serving Banks Bitter;

The Jewel of the Severn, a Wetherspoons pub serving Jaipur IPA plus 4 other ales; The Golden Lion, a pleasant pub with separate lounge and bar areas.  Here I tried Hobsons Twisted Spire, a pale hoppy beer.

Then it was time for the long journey home, but with a welcome half-way comfort stop at The Last Inn, Upper Hengoed for a last pint of Cotswold Brewery

Pig Brook, 3.8%.  Although memory is somewhat hazy - a very grand day out!

 

Cellar Bar Opens  (4 October 2010)

The new Cellar Bar on City Road has now opened for business (albeit hidden behind gas works at the moment!).  It is owned by the people behind the Bridge Inn on Tarvin Road and has seen the manger from the Bridge now take over as manager of the Cellar Bar.  Two Liverpool Organic beers were on for the opening with lots more good beers planned, including a new house brew.  It is thankfully much lighter inside than when it was the City Bar and has a pleasantly relaxed atmosphere.  Live music and DJs will feature and the downstairs area will be opened soon.  Lunchtime food is planned and judging by the samples we had it will be very good.  It’s an interesting new addition to the city drinking scene, we wish them well.

 

Carlton Improvements  (19 September 2010)

It’s been a busy last few months down at the Carlton Tavern in Handbridge.  Landlord Chris has become a father to little Louis (congrats!) but has still found time between changing nappies to make some impressive improvements to the pub.  Firstly came a complete redecoration along with with new seating, giving the place a fresh  bright feel.

Next some changes were made regarding the beer choice.  As well as the standard Hydes and Allgates beers, a reciprocal agreement between Hydes and Marble Brewery has seen some of the latter’s beers appear on the bar.  In addition to this Chris has now negotiated one cask of beer per week completely free of tie, so look out for some exciting brews coming soon!

The Carlton have also announced the date of their Oktobeerfest, held this year over the Halloween weekend.

 

Brewery Tap award  (17 September 2010)

Congratulations to all at the Brewery Tap on Lower Bridge Street in Chester.  As winner of the branch Pub of the Year it went into the regional voting and has now been announced as the CAMRA Regional Pub of the Year for the North West Region.  

This means it is in the final 16 pubs in the country to win the National Pub of the Year award  A great achievement and fingers crossed they can go all the way!

Well done to the staff at the Tap (pictured celebrating their new entry into the 2011 Good Beer Guide).

 

 

Good Beer Guide Launch  (17 September 2010)

More congratulations to the Brewery Tap and also the Bridge Inn on Tarvin Road on gaining entry to the 2011 Good Beer Guide.  To launch the new guide we held our monthly meeting upstairs at the Bridge Inn.  A selection of great ales were to be had and an impressive spread of food was much appreciated.  Well done to both pubs for beating off very stiff competition to get a guide entry.  Can the Bridge repeat the achievement when they open their second pub The Cellar Bar?

The branch still has a limited number of guides left to purchase at a reduced cost of £10 for members.  These will be available at the next branch meeting and at the Chester Autumn Beer Festival. Contact treasurer@chestercamra.co.uk to reserve a copy.

 

Pictured celebrating their entry to the guide are David Swift, Adam Roberts and Andy Atkinson.

 

 

Hoole crawl  (13 September 2010)

A Friday night race meeting gave us the perfect excuse to avoid town and instead check up on the drinking scene in Hoole.

The Oaklands was our starting point and we were pleased to see a choice of 5 ales on the handpumps - Hardy & Hanson Bitter, Speckled Hen, Northgate Bitter, Morlands and Greene King IPA.  We opted for the H&H and Morlands and very good they were too.  The Oaklands is soon to be brought into the Hungy Horse stables but we are assured that the real ales are staying so it's not all bad news.

We then sought refuge from a torrential downpour in the Royal Oak on Faulkner Street.  Six handpumps dominate the bar with Cumberland, Banks, Pedigree, Wychwood,  Brakespear and Ringwoods Showman's Tipple on offer.  The Ringwood and Brakespear were very good and it was nice atmosphere in there too, a true locals' pub.

Down the road we checked out the Faulkner Bar and Kitchen.  Two handpumps but the Wychwood was off which left us with Greene King IPA.  Nothing wrong with the way this was kept but the beer was the disappointment of the night, it's just not a great pint.  It was also the most expensive of the evening and the worse poured!

Across the road in the Bromfield we relived our past listening to some top 80's tunes whilst supping Adnams Bitter and a Westgate Sundance.  Odd how the place suddenly emptied though after tenish, wonder where people go?

Our last stop was at the Bawn Lodge to take advantage of their late licence.  Lancaster Bomber and Thwaites Autumn Spirit were on top form and at a wallet-saving £2.20 per pint - a great way to end the evening.  So, a great little crawl is to be had in Hoole, pity we didn't have time to check out the Beehive and Flookersbrook.

 

More ales in Whitby  (8 September 2010)

Encouraging news reaches us from Ellesmere Port regarding the Whitby Sports Club.  Their beer range has previously been tied but steward Neil McMullen has now got clearance to order from other sources.  Expect more ales from local brewers to start appearing soon.  The club used to be known as Shell Sports & Social, do give them your support!

 

Trans-Pennine Social Report  (5 September 2010)

On a fairly sunny Saturday morning nine members of the branch gathered at Chester station to embark on the now famous Trans-Pennine Ale Trail.  A 9:52 departure had us arriving at our farthest destination in Dewsbury at 12:06.   Our f  First pint was at the West Ridings Refreshment Rooms, conveniently located on the opposite platform, and it was closely followed by a 2nd pint and sausage butties all round.  On the bar were 2 beers each from Black Sheep and Timmy Taylors plus 4 guests.  I tried the TT Dark Mild  (£2-20!) and Roosters Farmhouse Ale, both excellent beers.

Interesting fact: 2,846 pints of real ale had been drunk the previous week!  Hope we improved the ratings for the current week.

 

Straight onto the platform to catch the slow train back to Manchester at 1301 calling at Mirfield.  Nearest pub was the Navigation Tavern set close to the canal but it wasn't a pretty setting, bit of an industrial feel to it and the pub was located next to a Jewsons builder's yard.  House beer was Theakstons but with a choice of 4 guests. Beer tried was Dent Golden Best which was OK but general opinion was of ordinary beer quality, one pint being a bit cloudy!

 

Back to the station for the 1351 to Huddersfield.  What amazing architecture forming the station frontage - all Greco-Roman columns and portico - but back to the beer: we agreed to try the Sportsman, a 5 minute walk from the station, since it had recently been refurbished and was the local CAMRA Winter Pub of the Season 2009.  An interesting selection of ales with most of the group choosing Mallisons Stadium Bitter a good local brew.  Feeling a bit daring at this stage I also tried the Cherry Stout from Nook Brewhouse. This was not as sweet and sickly as you'd think, good stout flavour but with definite taste of cherry.

 

The group split forces here with some going to try both bars on the station and 'my' group opting for a longer stay in the town.  Armed with a useful free map promoting the forthcoming Food & Drink Festival (26th July -15th Aug, might be worth another trip?), we found our way to The Vulcan.  A typical locals pub but had draught Worthington (not seen that for many years!), Clark's Westgate Gold and 2 others.

 

Back to the station and the King's Head bar at the East end of the station.  A large single bar looking a bit tired in places however the beer was OK.  Tried the Goldcar Dark Mild.  

 

Onto the platform again for the 1630 train to Marsden and try to catch up with the other group, consequently we missed out Slaithwaite.  They have hazy recollections of drinking a beer called Commecialise at the Commercial, a refurbished pub with 9 handpumps. From Marsden station we walked along the canal to the Tunnel End and sampled Dobcross Bitter. Noticed they had a font style pump for the Black Sheep a la Bombadier. A quiet pub set in very pleasant surroundings and I would have stayed for another but duty called so I set off for the Riverhead Brewery Tap.

 

The Brewery Tap was very busy with a wedding party (well it was a Saturday!), and had two very quick halves as the first was not one of their own brews - Doh! Then back on the train to Stalybridge missing out Greenfield (missing out on the pint of the day we reckon! - web-ed)

 

Arriving at the famous Stalybridge Buffet Bar about 1830 we were very disappointed to hear food stopped at 1800 so NO pie & black peas!  Oh well, another beer to compensate this time Millstones True Grit - a light hoppy bitter.   This station marked the end of the Trans-Pennine Ale trail but not the end of our adventure.  Oh no! Back on the train to Manchester Victoria and somehow we found ourselves at 57 Thomas Street, home of the Marble Brewery.  The beers had logical but confusing names viz. 'Pint' and 'Bitter' all served straight from barrels on the bar.  If you asked for a pint of bitter you'd probably get two drinks ha ha!

I had the Bitter which was OK but others had the Pint  - not so good.  All were served very flat and lacked any life.  Not a good experience.

 

Overall a most enjoyable journey.  It was a long day but helped along by the good company and some excellent beers.  My favourite was the first: Timothy Taylors Dark Mild, a beer not seen very often, well not in our neck of the woods.

Must do Huddersfield again, more pubs to try so anybody up for the Food & Drink festival?

 

City Bar to Cellar Bar (22 August 2010)

    The City Bar on City Road has been bought by the team who run the Bridge Inn on Tarvin Road.  The next month will see refurbishments ready for it’s planned reopening in late September/early October under it’s new name of The Cellar Bar.  A wide range of real ales is promised (free of tie) plus good food and entertainment.  It should be a great addition to the area, good luck with the new venture!

 

South Wirral Scoops (16 July 2010)

    Five of the branch’s finest athletes (plus Jim Shapton) set off on their bikes from Hooton Station on Friday evening for a tour of South Wirral.  After all of 200 metres from the station they felt the need for a pint. Fortunately, the Hooton Hotel, closed for a while, was found to have reopened the previous week under a new licensee, and to be serving a palatable pint of Tribute. This is good news for those who tend to need a stop off on train journeys back from Liverpool, but they’re well advised to ensure they’ve been served full measure!  (are we not mentioning somebody who fell off their bike in the car park here then? Web-ed).

    Invigorated, we managed a slightly longer stretch, to the Halfway House on the A41 at Childer Thornton, a Marston’s outlet dispensing their very acceptable real lager - Wychwood Regal. Staying in Childer Thornton, another strenuous 200 metre trek took us to that old favourite, the White Lion,.  Despite the short distance we still mananged to lose Elved en route!  Most of us partook of the Thwaites Wainwright which, unfortunately, fell well short of expectations and left us wondering when this one-time GBG regular would be able to make it again.

Pete and Wendy Zemroch had joined us at the Halfway House, bikeless, but willing to provide rescue car facilities as we set off on the decidedly longer stretch to Willaston. Our route took us along part of the Wirral Way, formerly the track of the Hooton-West Kirby branch line and, as we progressed through an arch of trees towards Hadlow Road Station, still preserved as it was in the 1950’s, we could almost smell steam lingering in the leaves above us.

A turn to the right at the station took us to Pollards. All arrived intact, which is just as well since our rescue team was already well ensconced, with Pete shouting out a justifiable recommendation of the Caledonian 80/-. Three other cask ales were on offer including a quaffable summer ale called “Nectar” from the same brewery.

Having saved the best for last we set off for the Wheatsheaf at Raby, where Brimstage beers were to the fore. Both Trapper’s Hat and Sandpiper met with strong approval.  (are we not mentioning that somebody fell off their bike in the car park here for a second time? Web-ed).  Satnav-equipped James Bendall proferred the stimulating information that a 3.2 mile cycle back to Hooton Station awaited us, and we set off in the twilight down tranquil, fortunately car-less, lanes in a blaze of hi-vi vests and twinkling red lights.

 

Travels along the A56 pub corridor (16 June 2010)

First port of call was the Shrewsbury Arms in Mickle Trafford, where two smashingly buxom ladies were enjoying a drink out on the patio,and inside,Greene King IPA. and Pedigree tempted customers.One aspect of the menu at this pub,and several others,was the offer of seafood dishes; Granny always told me never eat the stuff unless there`s an `R` in the month...how times change!

The Nags Head just down the road - literally - also offered a selection of Oriental dishes (some of them seafood) with Cumberland Ale, and Taylors Landlord to wash it down.

Our furthest pub was the New Helsby Arms, where sadly no buxom ladies awaited us, just a gathering of post-war Riley saloons, RM`s and Pathfinders,et al.

In the surprisingly busy pub,where hot and spicy prawns,mussels with garlic dressing,and Thai fishcakes tempted the hungry diner,a pleasing choice of ales were on offer for those requiring merely a drink;Spitfire,Adnams Bitter,Courage Best,with an array of pumpclips above the bar to show `whats coming soon` - Batemans XB and XXXB,Old Peculier,Old Hooky,Titanic Anchor,Wadworths 6X, Cumberland Ale...well worth a revisit next week!!

Musing on this, we retraced our tracks to the next pub,the White Horse at Great Barrow,with a forlorn Banks bitter on offer.

A quick flip to the Stamford Bridge,revealed a more thoughtful selection;Theakstons Best, Weetwood Best and Mad Hatter; Piffle the house bitter and Holdens Botton Knocker. Just as we supped a welcome half of the Weetwood, the power went off and plunged the place into darkness for 10 minutes!  Status quo restored,we headed down the lanes to the Bird in Hand where were pleased to find Weetwood Cheshire Cat, Spitting Feathers Thirstquencher,and Taylors Landlord on the bar.

 

Kelsall and Tarvin Cycle (15 June 2010)

The sun was cracking the flags so it was an ideal day to get out and about on the bike.  The plan was to have a first pint at the Farmer’s Arms at the top of Kelsall Hill then work downhill from there.  The long slow climb through Oscroft was as pleasant as ever but a new route from Willington through the steep wood to Pearl Hole was an absolute killer climb!  It certainly worked up a thirst though and thankfully the Weetwood Old Dog at the Farmer’s Arms was as good as ever.   Sadly, the previous landlord Mike Ford passed away recently and the pub is now being run by his family.  RIP Mike.  My intended route down the Yeld was scuppered by the road being closed so instead there was a satisfying hurtle down the hill to the now closed Morris Dancer.  A right turn here then took me through delightful country lanes and a short steep climb to the Goshawk at Mouldsworth.  Another excellent pint of Piffle was quaffed here while sitting in the sun overlooking the bowling green.  I could have stayed there all afternoon but eventually dragged myself back on the bike for a short pedal to reach the Golden Lion at Ashton Hayes.  Two new beers for me here, Midsummer Madness by Tetleys of all people, plus the unusual Peach Melbear from Beartown.  The latter certainly had a strong peach nose but thankfully the flavour was more restrained and it slipped down a treat.  Another short ride then to the last destination and the George & Dragon in Tarvin.  A range of well known regional ales were on but I spotted another new brew for me - Wychwood  Flash of Hops.  It tasted nice but I'd have liked more hops, not a flash but maybe The Full Monty of hops!

 

Foxcote, Little Barrow (14 June 2010)

Sad to see that this pub has now had all it’s signs removed from the exterior.  Only the remnants of an old Greenall’s logo and the car park show that it was once a pub.  We presume this is now a private house?  If anyone has any more info on this then please let us know via the forum.

 

Guilden Sutton Cycle (11 June 2010)

Friday night saw the first of the branch’s organised bike rides of the summer season.  A nice flat one this to get us started and not too far at a smidge over 9 miles in length.

We started off with an alfresco pint at the Bawn Lodge on Hoole Road where an excellent drop of Beer Works Football Relief got us off to a good start.

We then headed along the smooth traffic-free Millenium Greenway to pop out at Guilden Sutton and the Bird in Hand.  This pub has got back on track again after a troubled time in past years and the Cheshire Cat and Landlord certainly went down a treat.

A late change to the route saw us pedal off down the A51 to the Stamford Bridge.  This proved to be a good move as we had what turned out to be the beer of the night – the house bitter called Piffle.  A cracking brew this at 3.6%, produced by Brimstage Brewery on the Wirral.

It was then time for a spell along the country lanes through Cotton Edmonds and onto the Plough.   Sadly the beer choice here isn’t what it was but the Deuchars was decent enough to slake the thirst.

A short ride from here into the centre of Christleton saw us arrive at the Ring O’Bells.  The pub interior is pretty modern now but the beer selection felt like something from yesteryear unfortunately with the choice of Green King,  Ruddles County and Old Speckled Hen.

Onto the canal towpath then for the last stretch to the Bridge Inn, Tarvin Road where five handpumps awaited us.  I dodged the England football beer this time and the Smooth Radio special to go for the Sharp’s Doombar instead.

A very nice pint with which to finish a very pleasant evening

Check out the diary page for dates of more branch cycle trips coming up this summer.

Please help us to keep the news up to date.  If you have any pub news or have an article for the branch to publish then please send it in to webmaster@chestercamra.co.uk.  Thanks.