chester area news and reports

► Something to Shout About  (01 February 2012)
Outside Chester railway station, the listed Town Crier has been heavily promoting their real ales in recent months. Initially they had a loyalty card – after eight pints (not necessarily all one session!!!) you get your ninth free – but this has since been superseded by them offering 10% discount for CAMRA members. This applies to all cask ales except for Marstons EPA (which always sells at £1.89) and on Tuesday Cask Day when everything (bar the EPA) is £1.99. Beers tend to be from the Marstons stable.

► Farndon and Holt Over The Years  (23 January 2012)
When I first came to Farndon over twenty years ago, there were eight pubs to choose from. Just across the Dee bridge into Holt, Wales, could be found the White Lion, the Gredington (Red Lion really) the Golden Lion and the Hand in Heart, while on the English side, there were the Greyhound, the Nag’s Head, and the Raven. So where are they now?

The Hand in Heart has for some years been an Indian restaurant. The internal layout of the building is little changed, but sadly the only “beer” now to be had is Carlsberg. The White Lion struggles on as a keg and lager pub, the Gredington has been shut for several years, and is quietly decaying underneath the boards. Only the Golden Lion survives, though now of course renamed the Peal O’ Bells. Here can be found a bastion of cask ale, in a Good Beer Guide regular hostelry, enthusiastically run by Phil Liddell, whose spats with the owning pubco are the stuff of legends. Always at least two and often three cask ales can be found here, sourced from as far afield as Hawkshead, Bowland and Wrexham.

Over the water into England, a journey raucously made years ago by most of Holt on Sundays when Holt was “dry”, the Greyhound is still vibrant with at least four cask beers always available, albeit the well known national brands. Mine host used to have the same role just up the road at the Nag’s Head, and has breathed new life into the place. Sadly, the Nag’s Head has been boarded (well tinned actually) for several years. King Power can remember his first night in Farndon where a friendly neighbour took him to the pub. At 11:00, the curtains were drawn but beer serving continued. Expressing surprise at this, and wondering about the local constabulary, he was told everything was fine, and the chap at the end of the bar was the local constable. So famous was he that years later, a street was named after him.

The Raven became the Farndon Arms after a ludicrously expensive refit, which failed utterly. A subsequent period of closure was followed by rebirth as the Farndon (pictured), but when the licencee moved on about a year ago, villagers feared the worst. Happily, Michelle Yvonne and Gordon have quietly built up the pub as an excellent restaurant serving good local produce, and featuring local beers at the bar. Weetwood, Sandstone and Spitting Feathers beers are usually available. (King Power)

► Kelsall Beer Festival Report  (09 December 2011)
Our original outing scheduled for Friday 25th of November was to the Spitting Feathers brewery but by popular opinion it was changed for a visit to the Kelsall Beer Festival. The minibus was already booked so 9 of us boarded at the Ship Victory in Chester at 7pm and were soon at Kelsall Community Centre. Due to the popularity of this event I had pre-ordered the tickets and once the financial transactions for entrance and beer tokens were completed, it was straight to the bar to see what delights were on offer.

There were 21 beers in total with about half from local breweries and these were served via handpumps. My first choice was School Dinners 4.1%, from local home brewer Brewing 8 Miles High. This was a most enjoyable amber beer with plenty of malt flavour and not too hoppy. I then tried: Stout Mary 4.5% from Ilkley brewery; Red Willow- Directionless 4.2%; Salopian – Labrynth 4.5%; Wincle – Rambler 4%; and, of course, the irresistible Thornbridge Jaipur IPA 5.9%. Having used up our tokens it was time to move on, but not before voting for the beer of the festival of which my choice was the School Dinners – shame it’s only brewed for the festival and not generally available! Overall a pleasant local festival with beers in good condition and well supported by the local community. All profits go to local good causes.

Whilst in the area we decided to visit the Goshawk at Mouldsworth (pictured), where the Brimstage Scarecrow was on good form and my fellow drinkers confirmed the Piffle was also. We then headed for Guilden Sutton to drop off two of our passengers, Trevor and Jean from the Olde Cottage in Chester, who had managed a rare night out together, so we all enjoyed final drinks at the Bird-in-Hand. The Tatton Ale was good, also available was Sharp’s Doombar and Cheshire Cat. So ended an enjoyable evening and just as well we only drank halves at the beer festival, next day my head told me we must have had a few in the ‘Bird’!

The visit to Spitting Feathers brewery will be rearranged for Spring 2012. (John Bowyer)

► South Cheshire Halves  (05 December 2011)
Braving the cold and wet weather it was a bit alarming to finally reach the Willey Moor Lock Tavern only to see the pub sign on the A49 unlit! Worries that it might be closed proved unfounded thankfully but popping in a new bulb or two might be a good idea! Crossing over the rushing waters of the canal lock always make me feel cold so it was nice to get inside and take up residence next to the warming log fire. The two beers - they sell more in the busier summer months - on offer were Ruddles County and Merlin's Kings Ale. We chose the latter and were rewarded with a tasty ale which belied its low strength. Nice to have a darker brew for a change too. 

It was back on to the pale hoppy beers in the Blue Bell at Tushingham though with JHB and Shropshire Gold on the bar. Luckily we'd timed it well as a new barrel of the Salopian had just been pulled through the pump. As we savoured the beer we were able to study the local domino teams in action. The scoring seemed a lot more complicated than we'd imagined - must look up the proper rules some time! 

Our final stop was at the Wheatsheaf in Nomansheath. I'm sure the owners could save a few quid here by turning down the radiators as the pub was roasting inside! Two beers were on offer here - Spitting Feathers Thirstquencher and Tatton Blonde. The Tatton turned out to be the pint of the night, an excellent pale ale. It was nice to see a large group of younger drinkers in here too supporting their local. Wonder if any of them were on the excellent Tatton? (Mr W)

► Alan Frain RIP  (18 November 2011)
The branch was very saddened to hear of the surprise passing away of Alan Frain, landlord of the Bunbury Arms at Stoak. Alan was a big friend of CAMRA and, back in 2009, had received an award off the branch to commemorate pubs under his stewardship featuring in 25 editions of the Good Beer Guide. This covered spells at the Thatch at Faddiley, the Morris Dancer in Kelsall and especially the Boathouse / Ale Tasters Bar in Chester. 

Branch chairman Brian Vardy reflected "Alan Frain was one of the very best licensees you could ever meet. He had a unique understanding of the licensed trade, built over many years of experience. He had a unique understanding of pub customers and how to make them welcome. He always made time to talk to his customers and always had an interesting tale to tell. Alan was constantly organising events such as quizzes or charity fundraising and had the ability to make a pub successful, even where others had failed. He was very enthusiastic about real ale and always kept an excellent pint. He will be sadly missed."

Indeed so.

Chester Chronicle

► Local Grog at the Frog  (18 November 2011)
We're pleased to announce another new recruit to the branch's LocAle scheme. The Frog in Upton-by-Chester sells two Weetwood ales one being Cheshire Cat and the other a special 4.2% house brew called Chester Blue which features a Chester FC club badge on the pump clip. It's good to hear it apparently flies out and is sure to be well received by any Tranmere and Wrexham fans who just so happen to be passing by.

The pub was recently acquired by new owners who are also involved in the Chester Events photographic and events company. They harbour plans to install a third hand pump - serving, of course, another local ale.

LocAle

► Pied Bull Festival  (3 November 2011)
The Pied Bull, Chester started off their Autumn beer festival in fine style with a ‘meet the brewer’ evening featuring the Manchester Marble Brewery. As for previous beer festivals Luke and the crew had installed an additional bar in the lounge area equipped with 11 handpumps, but still had the usual 6 on the main bar. No less than 9 Marble beers were available on the extra bar plus two guest beers: Rat Catcher from the Rat Brewery and Gambit from the Summer Wine Brewery, all served at the correct temperature thanks to in-situ cooling. James, one of the Marble brewers, talked us through the following beers:

• Lagonda 5%, a classic IPA. Made from organic hops but these are now in short supply so trial brews are due soon using different types of hops. I requested they don’t make it too hoppy as I liked the current flavour, however I think the hop heads over-ruled so I await with baited palate.

• Manchester Bitter 4.2%, Intended to replace the famous Boddington’s of 20 years ago!

• Marble Chocolate 5.5%, Strong, rich and dark stout, well balanced with the hops and not too much choci.

• Dobber 5.9%, Light amber colour, grapefruit, dry and hoppy.

• Ginger 4.5%, Not tried this one but pretty self-explanatory!

• Best 4.3%, More grapefruit and peaches (erm fruit salad then?), balanced by good graininess.

• Pint 3.9%, Hoppy session beer.

• Draught 3.9%, Another session bitter, bit easier on the hops.

• Stout 4.7%, Lovely rich, dark stout with good roasted malty flavours. My favourite beer of the evening.

On the main bar were two beers from the Pied Bull’s own brewery: Black Bull Porter 5.2%, and Kung-Fu Bull 4.6%, featuring plenty of kick from the Nelson Sauvin hops. Also available were: Sequoia 4.5% from Thornbridge and the usual Adnams Broadside plus a couple of other guest beers.
After the brewer’s talk we enjoyed a welcome food break of local cheeses, sausages, chicken wings, fish goujons and roast potatoes, all courtesy of the landlord so cheers and many thanks to Luke and his team for a most enjoyable evening, which was well supported by branch members and locals. It was standing room only for many. A similar event, this time with a Red Willow brewer behind the mic, will take place on Saturday 5th November. Bound to go off with a bang! (BBC John)

► Beer in the Community  (1 November 2011)
On Friday November 25th and Saturday 26th, and definitely a date for the diary, Kelsall Community Centre will be hosting the 3rd Kelsall Beer Festival. It's £5 admission (including programme and glass) with proceeds to sundry local good causes. See the poster on the diary page for more details. Meanwhile, to whet the whistle of any beer scratchers out here are some of the ales expected to feature:-

Amber Chocolate Orange Stout (4%), Brodie’s Shoreditch Sunshine (3.8%), Brewing 8 Miles High School Dinners (approx 4.1%) plus A.N.Other, Dark Star Over the Moon (3.8%), Frodsham 800 Ale (4.7%), Ilkley Lotus IPA (5.6%) plus Stout Mary (4.5%), Mobberley Hedgehopper (3.8%), Red Willow Directionless (4.2%), Roosters Last Stand (4.3%), Salamander Wild Joker Porter (4.8%), Salopian Labrinth (4.5%), Spitting Feathers False Economy (3.8%), Thornbridge Jaipur (5.9%) Weetwood Ambush (4.8%) plus Oasthouse Gold (5.0%) and Wincle Rambler (4.0%). 

In case you're wondering Brewing 8 Miles High is the name for festival joint organiser Alan Durbin's hobby brewery. 

► Autumn PotS Presentation  (26 October 2011)
On a wet and windy Thursday night in October a fair gathering of branch members attended the Bawn Lodge, Hoole in leafy Chester suburbia for the presentation of the Autumn 2011 Pub of the Season award. Despite its  modern décor and appearance the Lodge Bar, with its competitive pricing policy and enlightened selection of changing guest beers, attracts plenty of cask ale drinkers thus ensuring a timely consumption of the goods on offer. It also shows a bar doesn’t have to be of the traditional ‘Olde Worlde’ ilk in order to win awards or, more importantly, provide a good experience for the customers.

Brian Vardy praised bar manager Adam Wallace and owner Rob Bawn for keeping consistently fine beer quality before handing over a thoroughly deserved, always to be treasured, framed certificate. And with formal ceremonies completed it was down to the serious business of supping Thwaites 1807 Xtra, a very hoppy Rudgate Marynka and Abbeydale Galaxy 55 whilst enjoying some complimentary celebratory pie and mash. Cheers!

► Victory is Ours  (17 October 2011)
Bravo to the Ship Victory in Chester for being the only pub in our CAMRA branch area to make it into the Sunday Telegraph's Famous Grouse Famous Pubs of 2011. Covering the whole of the UK, and comprising of entries nominated by readers, it claims to be a collection of pubs who stand out from the ordinary and deserve to be celebrated.

The write-up singles out the SV for its extraordinary dedication to charitable causes mentioning quizzes and Turkey Trots to help raise thousands for the local breast cancer unit. "If you're in town, make sure you pop into the little pub with the big heart and raise a glass to them."

► Fields of Opportunity  (12 October 2011)
The former Barn restaurant in Bridge Trafford is set to re-open on 21st November. Part new-build, part 400 year old converted dairy farm, this latest venture will be called Chester Fields and, as you'd expect, will be majoring once more on a dining experience. Cask ale is promised especially as an erstwhile Brewery Tap employee is in charge of the beer ordering!

The Chester Fields

► Telfords Warehouse  (9 October 2011)
The weekend saw Telford's Warehouse join the merry band of pubs staging their own beer festival during this busy festival season. The 20+ beers were smartly presented on the CAMRA-owned stillage in the intimate and atmospheric setting of the lower bar. Attending on the Saturday meant I'd missed some of my target brews - the Brewdog had sold out the night before - but there will still a good choice for the increasing number of punters attending. My favourite had to be the superbly hoppy Hawkshead Lakeland Gold, with the rich 3 Tuns Stout taking the runner-up spot. Perhaps having some Wobbly Bob before wobbling off home on the bicycle wasn't a good idea though! A lot of work was put in by Jez, Ian and the team to stage the festival so it was good to see it well supported by the supping public. Hopefully this will now be an annual event to add to the social calendar! 

► Bird In Hand Fezza  (3 October 2011)
Tony Jones, new owner of the Bird in Hand in Guilden Sutton, decided what better way to showcase his dedication to real ale than to have the pub hold a beer festival. And so it came to pass. On the last weekend in September, a marque was erected on the newly developed beer garden where a 26 foot long bar supported a dizzying array of 28 hand pumps! Over the course of the festival thirty real ales, all sourced from within thirty miles of the pub - possibly the largest collection of  LocAles in one area - were served up as over 800 people attended the function which is set to become an annual event.

Tatton Brewery's Ruck and Maul Porter won the festival beer followed by Weetwood's Cheshire Cat while third spot went to Odd Ball Red from Offbeat Brewery in Crewe. Tremendous effort Tony. Meanwhile, the Bird in Hand is now LocAle accredited as Cheshire Cat remains a permanent feature inside the pub alongside the likes of Sharps Doombar.

► Catholic Tastes  (1 October 2011)
As a branch we've always been a bit loathe to nominate a Club of the Year because we know we've nothing, as yet, to match the likes of Barnton Cricket Club or Appleton Thorn Village Hall when it comes to the amount and range of beers. Nevertheless, that shouldn't preclude us from highlighting those places serving up cask to their members. In the past we've mentioned the likes of Kelsall Community Centre, Boughton Hall CC and Cheshire County Officers but not the Catholic Club on Brook Street, Chester. Time to rectify that. Sources state that there are usually two beers available with the popular Spitting Feathers ales featuring prominently. However, as the decorative pump clips on the wall bear witness, so do other brewers. Last weekend, for instance, Allgates Junga (a 4.2% seasonal brewed with the eponymous Polish hop) and Facers North Star Porter were up for grabs. The club has a lounge, busy function room plus separate areas for pool, snooker and bagatelle and also shows live football games especially, surprise surprise, Celtic FC. So, while it's probably best to avoid it on Old Firm days if you're a Rangers supporter, if you can get signed in, the place is well recommended for a visit. News of any other clubs serving up the proper stuff is welcomed.

► LocAle Update (26 September 2011)
Two more pubs in Chester are on the LocAle scheme. They are the Commercial on St Peter's Square (Weetwood, Stonehouse) and Alexanders in Rufus Court (Weetwood).

LocAle Pubs

► An Enjoyable Spot of Cottaging  (22 September 2011)
There was a good turn out on the 21st at the cosy confines of the Old Cottage on Brook Street for the presentation to an extremely proud Trevor Summerhill of (coincidentally) our Summer Pub of the Season award. Seldom has someone been so chuffed to receive anything off the branch but, seriously, well done to a thoroughly deserving landlord and his team. Trevor's ethos on real ale and how a pub should be run ought to strike a chord with every CAMRA member. Needless to say the Taylors Golden Best flowed all evening.

Branch Awards

► Out-Inn Cheshire Drop's: Barrow to Hapsford  (4 September 2011)
First port of call was a surprisingly busy Stamford Bridge where lots of diners in the restaurant at the rear, could have been tempted by St Austell Proper Job, Weetwood Best, W&F Piffle (aka Brimstage Sandpiper), Greene King London Glory and Theakstons Best. Maybe they would be returning for one of the forthcoming attractions, such as Jazz night on 27th Sept; Mini Octoberfest on 11th Oct or Halloween on a late Nov 1st.

Less choice,and less customers at our next stop, the White Horse at Barrow (pictured), where Banks bitter was the only offering from VERY young bar staff and seemingly even younger customers !!! No such concerns at the Helsby Arms near Hapsford which was pleasingly full of mostly ladies dining,or watching widescreen TV(!) over a selection of seafood/oriental dishes and three ales,from GK Best, Courage Best-(with the new style pumpclip) and St Austell Tribute. Apparently Wychwood Hobgoblin had sold out in two days...

Can`t speculate if the Nags Head at Bridge Trafford sold ale as quickly but the barmaids jewel encrusted I-phone amused us whilst choosing from Tim Taylor`s Golden Best and Jennings Cumberland Ale. A short hop - no pun intended - to the busy Shrewsbury Arms where a cross section of diners were maybe trying the two courses for £10.95. On offer were GK Best, and Reverend James at a wallet-busting £3,50 a pint!!!

Reeling from this, we solemnly slithered our way down narrow rain swept lanes to our last pub, the Bird in Hand, Guilden Sutton. A new licensee had not only kept this community local going but revitalised it and brought back the ever popular Weetwood Cheshire Cat, accompanied by Ringwood Boondoggle, Hook Norton Old Hooky plus Shep Neame Spitfire with Blakemere Navajo in bottles. Plenty of diners enjoying bar snacks and widescreen TV and no doubt looking forward to the beerfest on 30th September-1st October (£10 ticket which gets you a free commemorative glass, programme and vouchers for four halves). (Phil Cheers)

► Bawn to Shine  (19 August 2011)
We're pleased to announce that the Bawn Lodge in Hoole, Chester has be awarded the branch Autumn Pub of the Season 2011. For many this will be seen as deserved recognition for what began as an unlikely real ale venue but now sells a couple of cask ales (often from the Sheffield area) in fine condition and at an extremely acceptable £2.40 a pint. Then there's the excellent customer service and value for money bar food. 

As ever, a presentation will be made in due course.  

Branch awards

► Bad News From the Sticks  (14 August 2011)
The death knell tolls for another country pub. On this occasion it's the Farmers Arms - more recently known as Stuart's Table - in Huxley which will be calling time permanently at 11pm on Sunday 28th of August. The official reason for the closure, as disclosed on the Chester@Large website, is "a constant struggle with our landlords about the maintenance of our lovely, old rickety pub" which has "culminated in the sale of the Farmer's Arms to a private investor, and, unfortunately, our imminent eviction".

Whilst the Farmers in its present guise, despite the decorative hop-bines and Adnams ale, might have proved too food-led for those who are only in it for the beer, it is nevertheless sad to lose this low-beamed, rambling and intimate pub. Favourite personal memories of the place will be back in the day when it was run by jovial husband and wife team Gordon & Leslie (later at the Plough, Christleton), supping Greenalls Original (when it WAS good) while battling away at the competitive pub quiz. (Sighs for days of yore.)

Meanwhile, the Market House at Hampton Heath is another pub to fall victim to curry-fication. It's now called, and we must be careful not to make a typo here, Forts of India.

► Rake & Pikel Festival Report  (30 July 2011)
A first time visit for me to the Rake & Pikel in Huntington, for their beer festival. Arrived on the No.5 bus from Chester and walked through the lounge bar to a large garden area equipped with tables and chairs and a children’s play area. Adjacent to the side of the pub is a recent timber structure to provide shelter for smokers but also doubles as a pleasant terrace for non-smokers to sit out. A small marquee formed the outside bar serving 6 beers on handpumps: Everard’s Sunchaser; Castle Rock Harvest Pale; Sandstone Post Mistress; St. Austell Tribute; Pedigree and Blakemere Navajo. Westons Traditional scrumpy cider also available. Inside on the main bar were: TT Landlord; Green King IPA; Liverpool One 3 Graces and Northern Brewery Hit & Run. Beer programme gave useful tasting notes and hardy drinkers could earn a free pint if they tried all 11 beers by having their programme stamped! I believe the pubco which owns this pub is Trust Inns but the landlord informed me he is now SIBA registered so able to take some local ales.

For my first pint, very thirsty at this stage, I opted for the Post Mistress but it was cloudy so changed it for Harvest Pale. This was clear and bright but could have been a tad cooler, however went down fairly quickly so tried the Sunchaser, beer OK but again, could have been cooler. They did have cooling jackets on the barrels in the outside bar but perhaps the chiller couldn’t cope with fine sunny weather. Went to the lounge bar for the next couple of beers – Hit & Run and 3 Graces. They weren’t kidding on the beer description in the programme when describing the Hit & Run as ‘Something a bit different, blonde beer with raspberry’, you could certainly taste the raspberries. Most beers were £2-95/pint so fair value but the BBQ food gave the best value of the day – just £2-50 for a real, meaty cheese burger freshly cooked. In addition to the lounge there is a small public bar with pool table and TV, and my general impression is of well-run community/family pub, no doubt with a potentially large clientele base. Having seen the last bus sail past me as I exited the pub with 4 mins to go I opted to walk back calling in at the Red House ( no real ale ), the Mount (pint of Weetwood Bitter sitting out on the terrace enjoying the view and swallows flitting around), the Little Oak (choice of London Pride, Harvest Pale or Summer Lightning so had the latter) and finally the Chester Hangman (very quick half of Bombadier as it was kareoke night but had to try it as real ale has only recently been available in this pub; beer quality, temperature and presentation satisfactory).

Overall a very pleasant day out and I look forward to another beer festival at the Rake & Pikel. (John Bowyer)

► Stacks of Ale at Chimneys  (24 July 2011)
Having never been to the Chimneys in Hooton before I thought I’ll try their 1st beer festival on a sunny Saturday afternoon. The 401 bus from Chester dropped me off just across the road so an easy place to reach on public transport.

The Chimneys is a large pub with plenty of bar and dining space plus large car park and outdoor drinking area. Oh and lots of large chimneys! In the main bar were 3 handpumps but the outside bar had 12 barrels with beer gravity fed. My first choice was to have a platter of 4 x halves: Fullers Summer Ale, Rudgate Ruby Mild, Mike Hall Wanderer and Ringwood Boondoggle. A couple of the beers were very flat and lacked fulsome flavour but the other two were good, particularly the Boondoggle. From the main bar I tried St. Peter’s IPA and Freeminer Speculation, both good and benefitting from being served via handpump. Next from outside was Vale Brewery Black Beauty, (very good), and Tomos Watkin OSB, a tasty premium bitter. Noted that Adnams Ghost Ship had sold out. All this beer was making me hungry so ordered a BBQ beef & cheese open Ciabbatta sandwich from the ‘lite bite’ menu and jolly nice it was too. Last beer was Harviestoun American IPA, very refreshing. A good pub beer festival which I’m sure has been successful judging by the number of people sitting out in the sunshine and I look forward to another festival soon.
 
Before catching the bus home I visited the White Lion in Childer Thornton, a very cosy, well supported local’s pub  serving Thwaites beers. Lancaster Bomber and Orignal were on good form. (John Bowyer)

► Cottage Industry Pays Off  (22 July 2011)
We're pleased to announce that the branch's Summer Pub of the Season 2011 is the Old Cottage on Brook Street in Chester. This splendid local's pub has three relatively unusual ales on the hand pumps -  Cains Bitter, Taylors Golden Best and Hook Norton Old Hooky - and, at around £2.40 a pint, offers real value money. All in all, well worth calling in especially if you're planning on a curry in one of the many neighbouring Indian restaurants!

Congrats to all at the Cottage. Well deserved. As ever, a presentation evening will be arranged in due course.

► Pub Swap in Dutton and Clotton  (03 July 2011)
The opportunity to escape from the tight grip of a pub co and move into a free house proved too much for the new licensees of the Bulls Head in Clotton which re-opened about a fortnight ago. The only problem with this is it meant them moving from the Punch Taverns owned Headless Woman in Duddon - which had launched a Mexican / American theme restaurant back in March - so that pub is subsequently now closed. The Bull, which allegedly endured a brief problematic spell as a carvery last summer, was selling Weetwood Eastgate and Spitting Feathers Farmhouse Ale at the weekend. And very pleasant the former was too.

► Brewery Launch at the Carlton (24 June 2011)
The official celebratory launch of Chester's newest brewery - Chester Ales - was held at the Carlton Tavern on Wednesday 22nd June. Three brews were on sale - Imperial Pale Ale, Corvus and Gladiator. The brewery is based at 3A Chester Road in top Saltney - a couple of doors down from St Mark's Road behind the Chester Brewery shop. Bob Blacker (director) with Alec Hughes and Chris Wood (co- owners) welcomed us all to the event and provided delicious snacks throughout the night while, somewhat unexpectedly, and causing a few blushes during the photo shoot, two bunny girls waited on. An excellent evening and good luck to all concerned with their enterprise. (EG-J)

► Peacock Struts; Greyhound Out of the Traps (21 June 2011)
In recent days both the Peacock in Boughton and the Greyhound at Saughall have re-opened their doors after lengthy closures and much speculation. Now branded as a Flaming Grill, with a new controversial outside colour scheme to match, the Peacock is, for now, back selling cask ale - Bombardier and Hobgoblin. By contrast, there's been a more tasteful (and desperately needed) face-lift over at the Greyhound where (changing) cask ale remains - in this instance Spitting Feathers, Black Sheep and Bombardier. Not much by way of structural alteration here as the quirky split-level layout survives though it's a shame to see the loss of the traditional public bar which has been subsumed into the middle-class foody feel of the place. Overall though Saughallians must be delighted to have their local back in business.

► Pub Food; Getting It Right at the Sandstone (20 June 2011)
We must have all “enjoyed” the pub food experience at some point, but perhaps on some occasions been disappointed with either the food, the beer choice and quality, or the balance between the two. Some pubs are really restaurants with a bar, where lack of a suitably sized, possibly separate drinking area tends to inhibit the beer drinker or spoil the required ambience in some way. Other pubs are really bars, with dining tables often cluttering the floor area, again intruding on the drinking space. The very worst of this type of pub also puts out the all-pervasive smell of food, usually chips.
 
It is therefore pleasing to find a pub which, in the view of your humble correspondent, has got the beer/food balance about right. The Sandstone, on the A534 between Broxton and Bulkeley, is such a place. Formerly known as The Coppermine (and the Royal Oak before that), the Sandstone has a separate bar area for those wanting to enjoy a pint without the encroachment of food, yet also has a very pleasant dining area, part of which is in a bright, airy conservatory. The menu is varied and much better than what would normally be described as pub food, yet the prices are quite reasonable, and the portions sizes better than some of the nearby competitors.

Most produce is sourced locally, and beers too are usually from local micros, such as Weetwood, Woodlands and occasionally Sandstone (the brewery not the pub). The setting for the pub is ideal for those wanting to explore the Sandstone Trail, and even a gentle stroll will allow enjoyment of all that is good about Cheshire. (KP)

► Who's Selling What: Kelsall, Ashton, Tarvin, Mouldsworth  (18 June 2011)
A de-briefing from a mission to deliver OIC 50th editions to the east of the big city ... 

George & Dragon, Tarvin - busy with diners and drinkers, choosing from Pedigree (£3,00 a pint!!), Hobgoblin or Banks`s bitter,and looking forward to `John Holden` appearing on 1st July at 8.30pm???
The Oak, Kelsall - re-opened since last visit; no obvious changes inside; Flowers Original, Adnams Bitter and Weetwood Cheshire Cat (a Weetwood beer is always on but varies)
Morris Dancer,Kelsall - shut and closed; up for sale with all furniture removed from the bar area and drapes up to the back windows.
Farmers Arms, Kelsall (pictured) - Weetwood Best and Old Dog here, well patronised and some people were asking "when's the Cheshire Cat on then?"
Golden Lion, Ashton - Youngs Bitter, Adnams Southwold Bitter, and Old Speckled Hen; couldn't tempt customers into this pub, as apart from one other, I was the only one; shame really, as they also do smashing evening meals (perhaps there's the rub?); they now have a nice coloured board with tasting notes on forthcoming ales next to the bar but, on the flipside, there's also a Fleurets For Sale sign outside.
Goshawk, Mouldsworth - W&F Piffle, Brimstage Trappers Hat, Weetwood Best and Theakstons Best were all the go while a bowls match helped to swell an already burgeoning pub to almost bursting; good to see a village pub doing well on a Tuesday evening!!!

PS Bridge Inn, Boughton.
This was an un-scheduled stop to offload the near-30 copies scheduled for the Morris Dancer. They were pounced on by the punters at this busy and lively boozer, all sampling Youngs Special, Shropshire Gold, Doom Bar, Titanic White Star, and Directors. Interest was divided between a barge tying up outside the back door and sport on the TV! (Phil Cheers)

► Kash Opens  (15 June 2011)
There was a very low-key opening last Friday (10th) to the Kash bar - formerly Donato & Sandros Italian restaurant on Brook Street (near Hoole Bridge). Owned by Beer Republic based in Runcorn, as expected it sells ales from their own microbrewery, Blueball. Blonde Bombshell and Zeppelin were on the two hand pumps separated from one another by other draught versions of their ales. Unusual draught beers from around the world are one of the bar's big selling points and expect to see an equally impressive array of world-wide bottle beers on sale too.

As for layout, there's a small bar area as you walk in before it opens out into two spacious high-ceilinged areas principally given over to dining. It should be quite an atmospheric place when news spreads and more punters start drifting in. Both an intriguing and welcome addition to the Chester drinking scene.

► WC Down the U-Bend (14 June 2011)
More disappointing news to which we can blame the economic downturn. The popular, offbeat WC Brewery has announced that it is to cease trading at the end of June. The last brews to roll out of the Mickle Trafford micro will be two firkins, including Gypsy's Kiss, going to the Little Oak beer festival while two nines or maybe a kilderkin of B'Day (ironically to celebrate the brewery's eight birthday) will be appearing at a yet to be disclosed pub.

Since commencing trading in 2003 this most micro of micros has picked up a host of awards including nineteen beer festival wins (see Loo Roll of Honour) the most prestigious probably being declared top dog in the Best Bitter category for the CAMRA Merseyside, Cheshire & North Wales region. It's also given us all a good laugh along the way with their beer names (Le Chat Noir, Slow Motion Stout, Yellow Snow, Kami-Khasi). Evidently basing them on various aspects of bodily functions doesn't deter drinkers from sampling their wares. 

Everyone in the branch wishes brewer Ian Williams all the best and hopes he'll be back fermenting some more whacky ales in the not too distant future. 

► Real Ale at the Coliseum Leisure Park (13 June 2011)
A bit of a scoop here from Cheshirescooper who, via the branch forum, brings us news of much need real ale irrigation in the Ellesmere Port area. Here's what he had to say ...

"Called in at MILLER AND CARTERS steak restaurant on Ellesmere Port Coliseum on the weekend as was greeted by a PURITY UBU pumpclip, ordered it and had it poured into a dimpled pint jug for me. The barman who served me proudly stated that they were the only establishment on the coliseum / oaks to sell cask beer and their aim was to eventually use all three hand pulls and said that LANCASTER BOMBER would be added shortly. Beer quality was very good and an excellent companion to my rib eye."

► Shock as Bull Closes (13 June 2011)
And so another landlord gives up in exasperation with the despised pub co's. And what sadness to lose the fabulous good beer guide listed Bull at Shocklach. Shock indeed. The villains in this instance are Admiral Taverns (or Badmiral as someone has astutely remarked). We'll leave it to the aggrieved Jon Cox, posting on the branch forum, to explain what's gone on and why we're losing a superb country which totally had CAMRA's ethos at heart. 

"It's with a heavy heart that I can announce to you that we will be shutting The Bull after a farewell bash next Sunday 19th June.

"We handed our notice in on our tenancy to Admiral Taverns two weeks ago (even though it's a no notice tenancy). This may come as a shock to some but those who know us understand that we were promised a free of tie lease before we opened the pub three and a half years ago. Every six months or so we are told it's "just going for board approval" only for it to be rejected with the same excuses... At the beginning of March we told them we needed the lease ASAP or we would leave and we were promised that it would be given to us in four weeks, then at another meeting on the 23rd March we were told that it had "gone to the board for approval". 

"And guess what? We've not heard anything so after a holiday, giving us space to think and way up our options, and finding out we are expecting our first child, we decided that we simply cannot trust our landlord and have no respect for them. We are working with such small margins at The Bull compared to the Yew Tree at Bunbury (our other pub, a free of tie private lease). We therefore came to the difficult decision to close.

"This decision has not been taken lightly and it's been an upsetting and stressful journey for Lindsay and I, our team of superb staff and all our fantastic regular guests. 

"We are looking forward to welcoming you one last time on Thursday for your branch meeting. If any of you fancy a beer and listening to a great local band, Boys Allowed Out, then pop down for our Big Bull Bash on Sunday 19th from 5pm.

"We will be leaving here with our heads held high as we known we've given everything we possibly can to make this pub a success. For a small pub in a tiny rural village with no public transports links to go through over 500 different ales from about 130 breweries in 3.5 years shows our commitment to the wonderful world of real ale. We hope you've enjoyed it as much as us.

"Lastly, a big thank you to all of you who have made the journey to us, by motorcar, pedal power or simply by foot. Without your support this may have happened along time ago!

"Bye for now. See you Thursday."

► Pied Bull PotY Presentation (11 June 2011)
A fair number of CAMRA members gathered at the Pied Bull in Chester on Friday night, 10th June, for the presentation of the Chester & South Clywd Branch English Pub of the Year 2011 award.

Chairman Brian Vardy congratulated Luke, the manager, on achieving this accolade so soon after winning the Winter 2010 Pub of the Season. The start of proceedings was delayed somewhat due to a steady influx of customers so Luke was stuck behind the bar for a while – still all good business and demonstrates the popularity of this fine pub.

The Pied Bull’s own microbrewery is now fully operational but demand for the beers has outstripped supply so sadly none of their own ales were available. However there was still a good choice; I particularly liked the Titanic Mild and Tatton White Queen (wheat beer). I had a small sample of A Over T but at 9% ABV that was enough for me! The hop lovers favoured Red Willow Mirthless.

Luke (pictured second left with celebratory staff) is arranging a Trans Pennine Ale Trail on 28th June so anybody is welcome to go along for a great day out- lots of pubs and different beers all very close to, or even inside, various stations en-route. 

► Cycling Down South (04 June 2011)
With no job to worry about I could think of no better way to spend a glorious sunny Friday than leisurely cycling down to the southern most recesses of our Cheshire branch area. Here lie three splendid GBG pubs and they were all ripe for a visit. 

After a pleasant saunter down past Waverton, a lucozade stop in Tattenhall to kill sometime before opening time, and a serious test for a nagging hamstring in the climb up Harthill, the first alcohol to pass lips was at the Sandstone (pictured) on the A534 Wrexham - Nantwich Road near Broxton. Formerly known as both the Royal Oak and more recently the Coppermine, this pub likes to support local products; a policy applied to ale as well as food. Besides brews from Woodlands and Spitting Feathers, Weetwood Eastgate was also on the pumps and a very palatable half it was too. 

Onward, and after wending down numerous country lanes to avoid the frightening A41 (and wondering if it is possible to go more than 500 yards down any road anywhere in the UK and not find casually discarded McDonalds wrappers amongst the fescue and cow parsley) the bike was propped up against a trestle in the Blue Bell beer garden down at Tushingham. As expected the usual Salopian Shropshire Gold and Oakham JHB were on at the bar, and a pint of the former slipped down well whilst watching house martins flitting in and out from under the eaves of this half-timbered classic.

The quickest route from the Blue Bell to the near-by Willey Moor Lock Tavern is a ten minute assaut course down dirt-track, cattle grids, turnstiles and cow-patted pasture - not ideal for a racer but better than the four mile alternative of battling with Eddie Stobart down the 41 to the Whitchurch by-pass and then back up the 49. Great to find the Willey really ticking over with customers as a veritable flotilla of small craft negotiated the eponymous lock. Catching a few rays while supping a marvellous pint of Three Tuns Solstice made all the hard miles well worth it. Other ales incidentally included Woodland Drummer Boy and Odd Ball Red from the Offbeat Brewery in Crewe ("brewed by a chick").

A bumpy pedal along the canal tow path to Grindley Brook, followed by  more country lanes through Higher Wych and Tallern Green, took me to the my final destination and another rural gem - the Queens Head at Sarn. Marstons Bitter here but also available is the magnificent Taylors Golden Best. And magnificent it was.

Spurning the temptation to call in at the equally meritorious Bull at Shocklach, it was full steam northwards to get back home to Chester for din-dins. Summer cycling round pubs - magic. (Dexter)