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My day today takes me out to Tutbury & Hatton by train from Stoke/on-Trent and working back calling off at Uttoxeter, Blythe Bridge and Longton. Started the day at Stoke-On-Trent visiting “bod” which is located on the Railway Station. 3 pubs in Tutbury, “The Hourglass”, “Cask & Pottle” and “New Inn”. Uttoxeter started with visiting “Night Inn” run by Uttoxeter Brewery, and onto Micropub “Horse & Dove”. Onto Blythe Bridge to visit “Crossways Micropub”, the tap for Peakstone Rocks Brewery. Longton next to visit “The Strand” and a bus out to nearby Meir to visit “Swiftys”.
Stoke on Trent
bod
My first call of the day is to Titanic Brewery’s “bod” located on Platform 1 of Stoke-On-Trent Railway Station with access both from the platform and street (a barrier between the two sides when ticket barriers are in operation). This is located in the old first class waiting room. A great feel to this place and very popular.
A great choice of 6 Titanic Brewery cask beers, aswell as a keg wall behind and a fridge full of cans and bottles to drink in or grab for your train journey. I went with “Glacier”, a rebrew for 2024, bringing back some of their most popular seasonal beers over the last 5 years. A delicious hoppy and smooth beer.
Tutbury & Hatton
An hourly train service on this line in both directions, so headed from Stoke-on-Trent to Tutbury & Hatton. A short 10 or so minute walk from the station into Tutbury. Worth checking out the “Tap into Tutbury” festival which is running for the first time this year. CLICK HERE for more details.
The Hourglass
My first call on the main street is to “The Hourglass”. This micropub opened in March 2022 having formerly being a cafe. A large single room inside with a great outdoor courtyard and side seating area. A very modern relaxed feel to this place. Was great talking to the team behind the bar here.
A choice of 3 cask ales on the bar today to choose from. I went with “Manhattan Project” from Northamptonshire based Nene Valley Brewery. A refreshing crisp beer made with 3 different hops. Had a few of their beers in the past and have always enjoyed them.
Cask & Pottle
A few doors up the street is my next call to “Cask & Pottle”, Staffordshires first Micropub. This opened in October 2013 having being a sweet shop beforehand. A light and airey one roomed pub with pine benches and tables. A great view of the casks and lots of great features on the walls including a table of ale measures. A pottle is an archaic name for a liquid measure equal to half a gallon.
A great line up of 4 cask beers all served on gravity, alongside 3 keg lines featuring 2 Belgian and a Dutch ale/lager. I went with “Piffle Snonker” from Birmingham based Froth Blowers Brewing Co. A tasty well balanced pale ale.
The New Inn
Another short walk brings me to “The New Inn”. This is owned by Black Country Ales and was extensively refurbished before opening in August 2023, becoming their 50th pub. A blue plaque on the front of the pub gives more details. A spacious pub with several different seating areas and a small outdoor seating area to the rear. Was great chatting with the manager in here today.
A fantastic line up of 12 cask ales including a number of their own beers. Lots of different styles to choose from. I went with “Citra Sublime” from Black Country Ales. A very moreish tasty pale ale.
Uttoxeter
Another short train journey, the next stop being to Uttoxeter which is famous for its Racecourse located next to the Railway Station.
Night Inn
A short walk up into town, and tucked away down a side street is my first of 2 calls here to “Night Inn”. This acts as the brewery tap for local brewery “Uttoxeter Brewing Company”. It opened in July 2020. A lovely modern style pub over 2 floors with ample seating both inside and out.
A great choice on the bar in here starting with 4 cask beers, em3 being from their own brewery alongside a guest from Milestone Brewery. A number of keg options to choose from in here aswell. I went with “Bunting’s Blonde”, a very easy drinking light beer.
Horse & Dove
My second call here is to the “Horse & Dove” which is located on the main street. This is the towns first Micropub and is set out over one room with the bar at the rear of the room. A great traditional look of the place and a very relaxing atmosphere. Great chatting to the owner at the bar aswell.
A line up of 5 cask beers on the bar to choose from ranging in styles and from 4 different breweries. I went with “Sup-Wiyo” from Collyfobble Brewery in Barlow, Derbyshire. A refreshing pale ale and very easy drinking.
Blythe Bridge
Jumping back on the train again this time heading for Blythe Bridge, home of the Foxfield Railway”
Crossways Micropub
A short 5 minute walk from Blythe Bridge Railway Station brings me to “Crossways Micropub”. This acts as the brewery tap for nearby “Peakstones Rock Brewery” and opened in July 2015 having spent its former life as a motor spares shop. A one roomed pub with the bar in the back right. A large wall showing all dog visitors to the pub. A very warm welcome again in here.
3 cask ales on the bar, 2 being from their own brewery alongside a guest. Most beers from Peakstones Rock Brewery (with the exception of a few) are named after rides at nearby Alton Towers. I started with their own beer “Chained Oak”, a tasty amber coloured pale ale. I then moved onto “Day of the Jackle” from Front Row Brewery who are based in nearby Congleton.
Longton
Another short jump on the train, this time to Longton. Longton is well known for the Gladstone Pottery Museum.
The Strand
A short walk from the Railway Station brings me to “The Strand”. A pub which opened its doors in September 2016 having being a jewellers shop before this. A great warm welcome from the owner in this busy pub. More like a Tardis inside as it is far bigger than it looks from the front. Lovely tiled floor, wooden bar and leather seating.
A choice of 3 cask beers on the bar alongside a selection of keg beers and a couple of ciders. I went with “Bridge Bitter” from Burton Bridge Brewery. A great traditional English bitter I have had several times in the past and have always enjoyed.
Swifty’s
A quick ride on the 6a bus from Longton to Meir to visit “Swifty’s”. This has relocated since opening into 2018,8!59 larger premises. This is located in an area that used to have 3 excellent pubs which have all closed over time. This pub has a great community spirit organising events for the local community including Bingo every week. A nice warm welcome when I entered.
3 cask ales on the bar today to choose from alongside a number of coders and keg beers. I went with “Kodiak” from Congleton based Beartown Brewery. This is their flagship pale ale and is a very light and easy drinking beer. Heading to see these guys in July.
Micropub Adventures 
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