chester area news and reports

Hoole Report (7 November 2009)
It’s not only Handbridge amongst Chester’s suburbs that is good for its real ale at the moment. Hoole is too as confirmed by a recent Friday night perambulation. Up at the Oaklands Hotel, which nowadays has a strong not unpleasant upmarket Wetherspoons feel about it, there was the full Greene King range plus Wooden Doll Cornish Buccaneer as guest. Critics of the Bury St Edmunds brewery should try their Pusuit of Hoppiness which was top notch.

Heading back to Chester the Bawn Lodge Hotel, sporting a heavily populated outdoor heated smoking area, was serving two Thwaites beers at the small cheerful modern bar. Both were sampled and there were no complaints about either the Ribbler ot the Lancaster Bomber. Down the Faulkner Street on the left was the newly refitted Royal Oak (pictured). A good job’s been done with no radical changes. It retains a simple two side room and main bar layout. Just a good quality paint job, new seating fabrics, carpets and a new inn sign has left us with one of those increasingly rare things, a neat and tidy traditional boozer. Four Marstons beers where available from Banks and Pedigree to Wychwood Dogs Bollocks and Brakspear Oxford Gold. Very encouraging.

Alas the one blip of the evening followed at the Faulkner where the pump clip was turned round. Never mind. To end an enjoyable alternative evening's drinking, it was straight across the road into the Bromfield which positively bristled with life including diners, TV viewers, and karaoke singers. Local ale representation at the bar too in Weetwood Cheshire Cat and Eastgate.

Harkers Finally Rewarded (1 November 2009)
After numerous attempts to finalise a get together, the branch has finally handed over its certificate to Old Harkers Arms in recognition of them being awarded our English Pub of the Year.

Usually these occasions are accompanied by ceremonial speeches and back-slapping but not this time around. A simple exchange took place on the Friday at the Chester Autumn Beer Festival in the Guildhall where several high-spirited staff from Harkers were making a prodigious effort to sample all the ales. 

Our picture shows, from left to right, Big Ben (don't ask - we don't know either), Dave the Beer and landlord Paul Jeffery fresh from a mountain biking accident.

A Cracking Time in Kelsall (17 October 2009)
May we say a hearty well done to organisers of the first Kelsall Beer Festival. Held at the Community Centre over the 16th and 17th of October, the event featured (besides lots of complimentary peanuts) around twenty ales, many of which would have been news to the most knowledgeable tippler (e.g. Brewdog 5am Saint, Brentwood Heavenly Body, Frodsham Devil's Garden, Thornbridge Lord Marples). Personally star of the show was one of two ales crafted by Kelsall enthusiast Alan Durbin (a.k.a. Brewing Eight Miles High). His Vicar's Light Ale, 'produced by generous use of Nelson Sauvin hops from New Zealand', was simply magnificent.

All proceeds from the festival will be shared by St Philip’s Church and Kelsall Community School. Look out for a similar function at Tarporley Primary School on January 29th and 30th.

Chimneys Cheer (5 October 2009)
Good news from the Ellesmere Port area which is, after all, hardly an area synonymous with real ale. Situated at Hooton traffic lights on the A41 the Chimneys pub is currently holding an Autumn Cask Festival. Running throughout October and November (to coincide with a new Dark Nights menu) the pub will feature a changing guest beer from amongst Wadsworth 6X, Sharps Autumn Fall, Thwaites Nutty Black, Worthington's White Shield, Wychwood Hobgoblin and Thwaites Liberation. Cains and Black Sheep Bitter remain the regular other ales.

Swifty and Akky with some Top Totty

Bridge Inn Rewarded (2 October 2009)
The other week it was the turn of the Bridge Inn on Tarvin Road, Boughton to be on the receiving end of one of the branch's hand made, mahogany framed, gold-embossed certificates. 

Irrespective of some hard lobbying from Bridge regulars on the branch forum, the award for Autumn 2009 Pub of the Season was a thoroughly deserved one. After all it keeps excellent ale, serves top food and is basically a splendid, friendly fun place to be. Amongst the beers on the night were Copper Dragon Golden Pippin, Slaters Top Totty and current Champion Beer of Britain Rudgate Ruby Mild and, when the latter ran out, we even had a jar of Old Bear Bitter from the cellar! In the interests of research two members were later seen sampling the chili vodka from amongst the Bridge's many special mixes. 

Anyway, landlord Adam modestly declined to appear in our photo as he felt it was cellarman 'Swifty' and bar manager 'Akky' who should share the credit. Fair enough but this award really is for all the staff. Bravo.

Canalside Launch (28 September 2009)
After many rumours, the new Canalside bar - part of the Eaton Hotel on City Road - opened in the evening of September 25th. With a low-lit comfortable, rambling interior there's a pleasant bistro feel to the place. As promised real ale was there - Shepherd Neame Spitfire, Black Sheep Bitter and Wells Bombardier backed up by two brews from Castle Rock including the excellent Harvest Pale Ale.

The landlord's keen on promoting his ales so here's to the pub's success. Please call in and show some support rather than spending all your time at near neighbour Harkers. 

Good Beer Guide Launch at the Bull (25 September 2009)
On Thursday (24th) members descended on the Bull in Shocklach for the branch's official launch of the latest edition of the Good Beer Guide. 

Jon & Lindsay plus some mad looking punter (picture courtesy of Nick Kennard)

The Bull has made a return to the hallowed pages of this real ale drinkers bible after an absence of 28 years. A copy of the 1982 Guide was on hand and revealed, back then, it served just McEwans 80/-. How times have changed with the present incarnation dishing up a whole host of microbrewery goodies on the hand pumps - an unimaginable thought back then.

The Bull owes its place in the Guide not merely to excellent beer quality but a marvellous commitment to real ale. For instance, on October 22nd they're having a Moorhouse Brewery Showcase evening while in November there's a Saturday tour to Woodlands Brewery (details on their website).

Many thanks to mein hosts John and Lindsay Cox (pictured) for hosting an enjoyable evening (plus the trays of spicy sausages).

Click here for more details about the Guide which features 33 pubs from our branch area (though - moot point - we'd like to include more). You'll find it's already in the shops though there may still be a handful of copies available to buy at the forthcoming Chester Beer Festival. Dare we say it's also rather cheap to order on-line through Amazon.
 

A modest but deep down well chuffed Mr W and Mr C

WC Awards (18 September 2009)
Following the conclusion of our recent branch meeting at the Bridge End in Ruabon it was time (somewhat belatedly) for the handing out of two more awards. The recipients, in both cases, were those cheeky chappies from WC Brewery in Mickle Trafford.

The first award was for their Gypsy's Kiss being declared Champion Best Bitter in the North West Regional Beer of the Year competition held at this year's Liverpool Beer Festival. A brilliant effort for such a small microbrewing operation. The second came courtesy of punters at May's Chester Charity Beer Festival who voted Oui Oui as their favourite tipple at the event.

Keep a track of the whereabouts of their elusive ales via the BogLog section on their website.

For Services to Real Ale ...
 (14 September 2009)
The publication of the latest Good Beer Guide has resulted in one landlord in our branch reaching a remarkable milestone. The entry for the Bunbury Arms in Stoak was the 25th that Alan Frain has had in his long and distinguished career in the pub trade. This includes spells at the much missed Ale Taster bar (part of the Boathouse) and the Morris Dancer in Kelsall. A fine effort which bears testimony to his work behind the bar and, of course, down the cellar.

To celebrate his achievement branch members met up for a sunny Sunday afternoon at the Bunbury and, after a meal and a few drinks, presented Alan with a special commemorative award. Congratulations Alan! Well deserved.  

Presentation Night at the Queens  (4 September 2009)
It was a lively old Queens Head at Sarn on Friday night. Not only was the pub busy with regulars and diners but a minibus load of CAMRA stalwarts descended on this hideaway gem to present landlord Richard Mewes with a framed certificate in recognition of his hostelry scooping the branch's Summer Pub of the Season award.

Despite another long-winded speech from the branch chairman (Oh come on! It wasn't that bad! - Ed) an enjoyable evening was had by all as trays of sandwiches were washed down with pints of Sandstone Edge, Taylors Golden Best and Marston Bitter. And good on the coach driver too for turning up 30 minutes late allowing us a protracted stay.   

Hydes Accolade for the Carlton  (28 August 2009)
For the second year running, The Carlton in Handbridge has been voted as Hydes Brewery's 'Best Tenancy'. This is the highest award that Hydes bestow upon the public house that demonstrates improved beer sales, community focus, quality of real ale and imaginative sales so fair play to landlord Chris Wood and his equally youthful crew of helpers.

The Hydes Awards have been running for eight years now, but this is the first time that any pub has managed to retain any of the awards on offer. It represents the pub's third award within the past two years (our Winter Pub of the Season being one of them). The Carlton, in the teeth of some ferocious competition, has also retained its place in the next edition of the Good Beer Guide while achieving 100% in their last two Cask Marque exams. Watch out for their beer festival on the 2nd and 3rd of October.

(Second place in the awards went to The Vine in Nantwich which received the Highly Commended award. Also nominated were The Crown in Cheadle, The Bulls Head and the Wheatsheaf in Lymm and the Q bar in Manchester .)

Autumn Pub of the Season Award  (21 August 2009)
Well done to everyone at the Bridge Inn on Tarvin Road in Boughton, Chester which was voted Pub of the Season for Autumn at our last branch meeting. That that meeting might have taken place at the Bridge is purely coincidental as the award is recognition for a fine, friendly sociable pub which sells (and promotes) up to four real ales, principally from micros (eg Frodsham, Weetwood, Sandstone, Stonehouse, Hornbeam, Brimstage), plus a cider.

The Bridge also earns more ticking of boxes for some excellent value imaginative food, a strong community focus, a happy clientele mix (including Law College students), televised sports and so on. All in all thoroughly deserved. A presentation night has been ear-marked for September the 25th.

West Cheshire Beer Fest Report  (20 July 2009)
A Saturday evening in July ...what could be better than a barbecue ..  well I think I've found the perfect thing a bar - beer - queue.

The third annual West Cheshire Beer Festival took place on the 18th July at the home of the Spitting Feathers Brewery in Common Lane, Waverton just a few short miles out of Chester, proceeds of which go to helping local charities. Having lived just a few hundred yards down the road (although many years ago I might add) the lure of a return home was too good to miss.

Tickets were available at £4 for the afternoon session (2.00pm – 6.00pm) and £5 for the evening (7.00pm to 11.00pm). The evening session was chosen,. The tickets were bought a month early and placed in a safe place.  The days until the festival were eagerly crossed off.

Arriving just after opening time, the first job was to buy some tickets that can be exchanged for beers of your choice. There was no need to overestimate the amount of beer you can drink as they could be purchased throughout the night. It helps though when one of your group has hollow legs and is quite happy to take on the onerous duty of making sure none go to waste!

Then it was on into the farmyard and the task of choosing what to try first. A bar had been set under one of the farm buildings, all beers were hand-pumps with most helpful bar staff on hand to assist anyone unsure of just what was on offer. A very handy flyer listing the beers available with tasting notes was given out and soon became invaluable. Those still unsure could always ask for a taster of the chosen beer with the  beer-tenders happy to oblige.

This years local selection included beers from Northern  Brewing, Stationhouse Brewery, Weetwood Ales, Woodlands Brewing and of course Spitting Feathers with two ciders from Eddisbury.  here were also four 'foreign beers' in that they were from outside the West Cheshire area. The beers ranged from Golden to IPA to Bitters right up to Porters and all in great condition.

We couldn't miss the chance to take a free tour of the brewery and learn just what goes into making the Spitting Feathers brews. You could see the barley malts, wheat and hops that go into producing the final product as well as inspecting the brewing equipment and beer making in progress. The brewery also doubles as a working farm. Again you were free to take a tour of the livestock. The used grains from the brewer are used to feed the animals. They even have bee hives to supply the honey for their "Honey Trap" ale.

For those feeling hungry during the night you could try a selection of burgers, ribs and hotdogs all from the farm itself. I believe the sausages contain some of the ale as well.

Then it was time for some music with two local bands the "Reads" and the "Moo Cows" there to entertain us, which they certainly did with a mixture of songs and styles. And, if you needed a breather, then there was a games room with darts and a TV with free soft drinks available although it seemed harder to hit the board as the evening wore on. I must look for a reason for that one day.

So there you are then, a fantastic evening that ended all too soon.  Real ale, friendly people, fresh local food, no carbon dioxide infused lagers, no additives and best of all no artificial hangover in the morning.
(Many thanks to 'Blueboy" for this write-up - Web Ed.)

Battle of the Breweries  (17 July 2009)
Two local Wetherspoons outlets have agreed to stage their own “ Battle of the Breweries Beer Festival” - an event scheduled to take place between 3rd and the 9th August. The Square Bottle in Chester will be selling Spitting Feathers beers as their English brewery while the Elihu Yale in Wrexham have chosen Plassey as their Welsh brewer. The plan is for both pubs to stock three ales from each supplier, and drinkers will be able to try all the brews using third pint glasses if they're worried about hangovers the next morning! To help promote the event Matt from Spitting Feathers has agreed to hold a meet the brewer night at the Square Bottle one evening in the week (date to be announced soon). Punters will get the chance to vote for their particular favourite ale of the festival while, a the core of the battle, each pub will be counting how many pints of each brew are sold. 

Don't get all jingoistic about it - it's not a football derby. It’s just a bit of friendly fun between rival landlords that helps promote real ale and local brewers into the bargain. Give it your support.

Credit Crunch Challenge (aka How Not to Promote Responsible Drinking) (17 July 2009)
Beer prices are rocketing and it's all doom and gloom in the recession. Or is it? The Gents from the WC Brewery set out with the challenge of having ten pints in Chester for under £20. Surely in these days of £3 pints it would be a real struggle ... 

We started off in the Square Bottle which highlighted our first problem - it was a race day and the place was packed even before mid-day.  A quick dash round the corner was in order and we had no problem getting a table in Forest House instead. Fortified by an excellent full cooked breakfast and several cups of tea it was time for the first beer.  We played our joker here with the CAMRA discount vouchers and got off to a flier with a decent drop of Ruddles for 99p.

As the place filled up rapidly and town became overwhelmed with race punters we decided to avoid the madding crowd by nipping into the Albion . We knew this was going to cost more than intended but we were knocked well off course with a £2.80 pint of Bitter and Twisted. Oh well, a bit of a set back but still on track and a chance for some peace. Over the Dee Bridge in Handbridge we then tried the Grosvenor Arms. A pint of Tetleys cask here for £2.40 was reasonable but we missed out on the mild which would have shaved an extra 10p off the total. Mr C went for a guest ale and paid a bit more. At this point we were only slightly over target but not to worry as the Falcon (left) beckoned. Can't go wrong here with Sam Smiths at £1.44. Result!

Another gamble next at the Olde Custom House (right) now that the races were under way and it was quiet at last. The beer was good and £2.50 a pint didn't vex us too much. The Boot followed for another £1.44 pint. God bless Sam Smiths when you're on a tight budget! Funny how the pub seems darker during the day than at night though.

Another chance to get back on track with our second stab at the Square Bottle. Mr C kept it cheap with another Ruddles but I went dearer with an excellent pint of Woods. The Mill next and we were under £2 again with a solid pint of Weetwood Best at £1.95. We were struggling now to think of places for cheaper beer, especially as the Oddies had run out of all cask. Never mind, the noisy and packed Temple Bar had Bombardier on at £2. A result on the price but sadly not a great pint. (Wasn't Spitting Feathers on? - Web Ed)

For pint number ten we headed back out to the Union Vaults where we each settled on a £2.65 pint of Everards Tiger. Happily the scores on the doors at the end read Mr W on £19.55 and Mr C on £19.31. OK, we used 'spoons vouchers which would have added a pound each, but then again we could have swapped the Albion for say the Bawn Lodge and still won the challenge. 

So it's still possible to have a good session on the ale in Chester and not break the bank, and the quality of beer doesn't necessarily have to suffer either.

It's All Going On at the Bull  (29 June 2009)
News from the Bull in Shocklach where the Sunday farmers markets on the pub car park are proving very successful (something we can personally testify). Fourteen stalls are there now and the second market was run alongside the first village fête in memory and helped raised £1000 at the fete plus £2000 at the ladies lunch three days prior. The next farmers are on Sunday 26th July with another on Sunday 23rd August (both running from 10am until 2pm). Try them especially if you fancy eating a goatburger.

On August Bank Holiday there's going to be an end of summer beer festival. Last year this event sold over 1000 pints in three days. This year's theme is beer at 4% or under and, like the Easter event, they'll be trying to stock previously untried beers. Expect live music and some poor hog to get skewered on the Sunday night.

Finally there are future plans to have a showcase night with Moorhouse Brewery. Ale, food, discussion and talk by the chairman plus a beer quiz! Great stuff from what is without doubt one of our more innovative pubs.

Red Lion, Dodleston (28 June 2009)
As part of the Vintage Inns group, the Red Lion in Dodleston will be hosting a Golden Ales festival ("a refreshing and thirst quenching cask conditioned ale alternative to the light lager market") running for six weeks, commencing on Monday July 13th.

Beers you can expect include Black Sheep Golden Sheep, Youngs Kew Gold, Brakspear Oxford Gold, Adnams Explorer, Brains SA Gold and Everards Sunchaser. Alarmingly, during the first three weeks of the festival they will also be running a competition whereby visitors will be encouraged to write a poem or verse about their golden ale experiences. The poems will be judged and the author of the winning poem will win a VIP summer weekend in London. Any budding William McGonagall or Pam Ayres's out there? What rhymes with "citrus aroma"?

The pub's only a short distance out of Chester (head down Lache Lane and keep going) and has a lovely front beer garden with pond. Give it a try.

Kings Head Uupdate (25 June 2009)
As a footnote to the article below, the Old Kings Head has reopened once more. Our sentiments remain the same though. It needed a period of closure so it could be revamped, redecorated and basically reinvigorated otherwise it's just going to struggle along under it's tired evidentally unsuccessful formula.

Pub Beer Festivals Planned (10 June 2009)
Adding to a highly congested summer of beer related events (see diary) are two proposed pub beer festivals scheduled on and around the August Bank Holiday weekend.

The Pied Bull in Chester, which currently sells six real ales (Adnams Broadside, Wells Bombardier plus four guests)  intends to open its event on Monday 24th and run the duration of the week. Drink six different ales in that seven day period and you get a pint free. Cider will also be available.

Meanwhile, at Barton between Broxton and Farndon, the Cock o'Barton will be having its own mini-fezza over the weekend proper. They are LocAle affiliated stocking the likes of Spitting Feathers and Weetwood. More details will appear on the diary page when known.

Old Kings Head Shut (8 June 2009)
What a grand job Punch Taverns are doing on Lower Bridge Street in Chester. Where as everywhere else seems to be doing OK - from restaurants to other pubs and bars such as Oddfellows, the Brewery Tap and the Bear & Billet - their two properties, the Cross Keys and now Ye Olde Kings Head, are currently shut for trade.

Punch are advertising both establishments with ten year lease agreements but you just do wish they'd do the decent thing by selling them off as freehouses and letting someone else make a better job of running them. One look at the exterior of the historic Kings Head (complete with blue plaque) suggests it ought to be a marvel on the inside. Sadly though, little has changed over the last 30 years except for a succession of licencees. No obvious investment means it remains a rather unwelcoming, drab and gloomy place. Surely with a bit of imagination - move the bar, free up floor space, install better lighting, improve the furnishings / decor, play up the history, get some decent beers in - the pub, which also boasts an upstairs restaurant and accommodation, could be a profitable gem. With Punch at the helm, we're not holding our breath.

Wheatsheaf Anniversary (2 June 2009)
They're celebrating in Nomansheath near Malpas this month where landlady Jenny Brownlee will mark the fourth anniversary of her taking charge at the Wheatsheaf pub by hosting a special (black tie optional) dinner. She's delighted to report, despite all the economic doom and gloom, that paradoxically the last six months have been the best in terms of trading she's so far experienced ... and nor is she complaining. 

There's good news on the ale front too where sales of cask are brisk. Copper Dragon Golden Pippin appears on a virtual permanent basis while this is supplemented by one guest beer supplied locally and typically from Hanby, Woodland and Weetwood. Hopefully we'll soon be signing up Jenny to CAMRA's LocAle initiative.

As well as the beer, there are also weekly curry nights plus a permanent sausage board to compliment the food menu. So, no more excuses not to pop into this village local seconds off the A41. 

The Magnificent Seven Cyclists (2 June 2009)
Friday 29th May saw what had been a fantastic sunny day turn into a balmy summer's evening and a coming together of some hardy individuals at the Bridge Inn on Tarvin Road for a pedal powered pub crawl. 

image not representative

Once we'd all gathered and supped a mighty fine pint (Stonehouse's refreshing Wheeltapper's Wheat Beer or two from Hornbeam including the dark mild Malt Mountain), the Magnificent Seven (more like the Secret Seven - Ed) adjusted our saddlebags, mounted our trusty steeds and set off into the sunset of the Wild West Cheshire countryside.

Heading down past Boughton Hall Cricket Club and cutting through the housing estates of Boughton itself, we came out not far from the Rake and Pikel in Huntington, our first stop.

With none of us on the wagon and with trigger fingers poised on our bicycle clips, this swarthy bunch of banditos swaggered into the saloon and ordered seven pints of Everards Sunchaser, an excellent thirst quenching blonde beer with some very delicate citrus flavours. Also available was Timothy Taylor's Landlord and Theakstons Bitter. Taking to a table outside, we all hastily took on the fluids we were badly in need of while enjoying the evening sun.

Setting off once more, we galloped on down Sandy and Saighton Lanes through the prairies of Cheshire to the next dusty town and the nearest bar. Imagine our surprise to find it full of native Wavertonians, well it was the Black Dog on the A41! We didn't want any trouble and so retreated to the excellent beer garden at the rear. Ignoring the Tetley's and Boddingtons, we indulged ourselves with another Everards brew, this time Tiger, their best seller, a malty, chestnut brown beer.

It was now time to take our lives into our own hands and traverse the A41 and head on down Quarry Lane, then Common Lane passing by the Spitting Feathers Brewery on our right. After that it was right onto Eggbridge Lane, followed by Brown Heath Road and up towards the Plough. Unfortunately with recent events this liquor stop was no longer open so we formed our own modern day pony express and pushed on up Plough Lane along Village Lane and into the beautiful village of Christleton and the Ring o' Bells, winner of 'The Family Friendly Award' and runners up of the 'Best Newcomer Award' at the Chester Food & Drink Festival 2009.

We tied our rides to a hitchin' post, pushed through the swing doors of the alfresco drinking area and made our way to the bar in search of some firewater to wet our parched throats. A very impressive update of the interior was recently undertaken to a very high specification. Definitely no cowboys there! Unfortunately, one of our gunslingers took a gamble on an Abbot Ale past its sell by date and short of needing a spittoon, it was replaced without any fuss. Also on sale was Greene King IPA and Morland's Speckled Hen.

Back in the saddle and off we set down Pepper Street to rejoin the trail and on to the next settlement, the Cheshire Cat (left), on the towpath of the Shropshire Union Canal. Here our prospectors were on the lookout for some kind of Gold Rush, but unfortunately none was forthcoming. Instead we were faced with both Thwaites Original and Bomber and Black Sheep Ale. Back outside, we staked our claim on more seating until our glasses ran dry.

Spurred on by the fading daylight, we rode back into town to our Last Chance Saloon, the Cherry Orchard in Boughton. Luckily the only shooting here was of the tequila variety, and so our bounty hunters finished off with a choice of Hop Back Crop Circle, Theakstons Mild and Theakstons Best Bitter.

All in all, a great night was had by all along with some great ales. The Magnificent Seven will ride again!

Fun at the Folk Fest (26 May 2009)
The Chester Folk Festival, staged as ever in Kelsall over the spring bank holiday weekend, was it's usual eclectic mix of entertainment. Spread across several venues, besides the usual ceilidh type stuff - much of it impromptu - there were was renaissance dance music, Appalachian clogging, poetry reading, jingling Morris Men, medieval mumming (pictured) and even Hatha Yoga classes. 

As usual this was all accompanied by some excellent ale. The Oak installed extra stillaging to run its own mini beer festival serving up the likes of Spitting Feathers, Elgoods, Barnsley and Oakham beers. Up at the Farmers Arms Weetwood beers were on offer at £2 a pint while the Morris Dancer served four Weetwood beers from the bar, restaurant and an outside stall. The splendid Kelsall Social Club also sold four Weetwood beers (it sells two permanently throughout the year) while the neighbouring Community Centre also had some Weetwood on purely for the festival. Well done to all - organisers, performers, staff and punters - on another splendid event.

As a footnote, Kelsall Community Centre will be the venue for the village's first beer festival on be held on October 16th and 17th. It will feature approximately 22 beers (some new!) plus cider. Admission will be £5 with proceeds to the local primary school and church. Get it in your diaries.

Spring Pub of the Year 2009 (21 May 2009)
The second of our seasonal awards for 2009 goes to the Queen's Head at Sarn, a hideaway pub if ever there was one, tucked away between Threapwood and Tallarn Green off the Bangor-on-Dee to Malpas road.

The cosy, three-roomed pub serves Marstons Bitter, Timmy Taylors Golden Best plus one guest beer conforming to the LocAle scheme such as Salopian Shropshire Gold. The grub also comes well recommended as does a visit to the rear patio garden nestling alongside Wych Brook. 

Well done to all at the Queens. A presentation night is planned for July 24th. 

Ship Shape and Bristol Fashion (1 May 2009)
The Ship Inn had represented for three years a depressing welcome to Handbridge for anyone crossing over the Olde Dee Bridge from Chester. Boarded up with metal sheeting on the doors and windows there seemed little hope for its revival. Happily though it’s now undergone a colossal new makeover and been transformed from a one-time two-roomed local into a glass-fronted upmarket bar and restaurant.

Traditionalists might moan but the interior is a smart blend of furniture, wooden floors plus a mix of white-walls and exposed brick adorned with a fantastic collection of local framed pictures. Also hard to miss are the lengthy blackboard menus, a gigantic abacus and an impressive Ship Inn tiled wall behind the bar. Up a stairwell featuring former Ship Inn and Greenalls signs the restaurant is decorated with adverts for D’oyly Carte posters and Bistos adverts while a gazebo like structure overlooks Edgar’s Fields.

Beer wise – ah, yes, beer – there are four hand pumps and on opening night these were three ales from Thwaites plus Black Sheep Bitter, all at £2.80 a pint. Our friends at Sandstone Brewery assure us a cask of their beer is scheduled to appear soon so hopefully ‘quirkier’ local beers will be a regular item (surely something it needs if it’s to boost wet sales and lure in folk from the Brewery Tap and the Bear & Billet just ‘across the water’). May God bless the Ship and all who ale in her.