27/07/24 – Congleton

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Today, I headed to Congleton, situated in Cheshire. Congleton earned the nickname “beartown” due to the popularity of bear baiting during Elizabethan times. I will be meeting Mikey and other individuals from “Beartown Brewery” for a tour of several pubs in the town, many of which will be participating in Congleton’s “Big Beer Weekend” featuring tap takeovers, meet the brewers events, and more.

The Wonky Pear

A brief stroll from Congleton Railway Station leads me to my initial destination of the day, “The Wonky Pear.” Here, I had the pleasure of meeting Mikey, the Operations Director at Beartown Brewery. This inviting pub, transformed from a previous retail space, exudes a sense of community, with a watercolor class taking place on the upper floor. I received a warm welcome from Mike, and it was a delightful experience discussing my blog and its objectives with Mikey.

An impressive selection of 3 cask and 3 keg beers is available for your choosing, with all 3 cask beers originating from Beartown Brewery. My selection was the “Schrodingers Bear” on cask from Beartown Brewery, a delightful hazy pale ale boasting delicious passion fruit and citrus notes.

Beartown Brewery / The Den

A brief trip to Congleton town centre leads to a visit to “Beartown Brewery”, also known as “The Den”. This charming upstairs bar offers a panoramic view of the brewery below through its glass walls. Established in 1994, it was a pleasure to converse with Joe (MD) and Ally (Head Brewer) during the visit.

An impressive selection of three cask lines and an extensive array of keg beers is available. I began my tasting experience with one of their sour offerings, “Strawbeary,” which is a delightfully tart and fruity brew crafted in honour of their 30th anniversary. Following that, I sampled “Oozy,” an exceptional beer featuring five hops, characterized by its hazy appearance and rich flavour profile.

I explored the purpose-built brewery located downstairs, which was established in 2022. I assisted head brewer Ally with some dry hopping while I was there, and it was fascinating to learn about their various beers and the daily quality checks they undergo.

Prince of Wales

Upon strolling down the high street, I arrive at my next destination, the “Prince of Wales” pub, which is owned by Joules Brewery. The establishment is spread across two buildings, each retaining its original purpose – number 4 serves as a cosy pub, while number 6 functions as a unique curiosity shop filled with various items. At the back, there is a spacious courtyard beer garden. I received a friendly reception and had a delightful conversation with landlord Craig, who was behind the bar.

The bar features a variety of four cask ales, complemented by several keg options, all sourced from Joules Brewery, along with a few additional selections. I opted for the “Munich Dunkel / Batch 1022,” a cask lager inspired by Bavarian traditions, which is notably rich and flavorful.

The Little Street Cellar

A brief stroll leads me to “The Little Street Cellar,” an exceptional and distinctive bar located within a cellar. Upon entering, one finds the bar area, with additional seating situated further back. Outdoor seating is also available at the front. Today, I received a wonderfully warm welcome from Jonah.

As it is Congleton’s “Big Beer Weekend,” a tap takeover was organized featuring Tay Brew Co, a small nano brewery located in the nearby town of Middlewich. I had the option to select from a selection of four cask beers and eight keg beers. I opted for “Clear my History, Delete my Tumblr,” a delightful New England IPA with an alcohol content of 6.7%. It was both flavorful and enjoyable.

Successfully captured a photograph with Mikey from Beartown Brewery during my visit here.

Congleton Market Quarter

My next two visits are in Congleton’s Market Quarter. An excellent development of derelict buildings that have been transformed into a host of independent bars and eateries all in one place.

R&G’s Taphouse

I first went to “R&G’s Taphouse”, with R & G representing Rosie and Gregg. This establishment is the sister bar of their bottle shop “Beer Vault” in the nearby town of Macclesfield. It’s an amazing bar that spans across several rooms/levels downstairs and also features a wonderful outdoor seating area. The back room is equipped with a variety of retro arcade games for patrons to enjoy. The team behind the bar provided a fantastic warm welcome this afternoon.

During Congleton’s “Big Beer Weekend,” they organized a tap takeover featuring Northwich’s HUSH Brewing Co. The impressive beer board showcased 14 keg lines, with 4 dedicated to HUSH’s selection. I opted for the “Hippophae Gose,” a delightful sour beer infused with 15% seabuckthorn (Hippophae) puree, creating a blend of flavours including orange, grapefruit, and passionfruit.

Foundry

Also situated in the market quarter is “Foundry”, which was established in November 2023 by the Macclesfield-based “Bollington Brewing Co.” The establishment boasts a spacious indoor area, as well as both covered and uncovered outdoor spaces. The team behind the bar provided a friendly welcome this afternoon.

The bar features a selection of five cask beers from Bollington Brewing Co, complemented by an extensive array of keg beverages. I chose to sample “White Nancy,” a delightful best bitter characterized by its substantial body. This beer is named after “White Nancy,” the renowned folly situated atop the Kerridge Ridge, which provides a stunning view of Bollington.

The Lord Mountbatten

A brief stroll from the Market Quarter leads me to “The Lord Mountbatten.” This charming traditional pub exudes a comforting and inviting atmosphere within. Additionally, there is an outdoor space located at the back. Upon entering, I was greeted with a wonderfully warm welcome.

There are four cask ales offered at the bar today, sourced from three distinct breweries. I opted for “Desert Storm,” a selection from Storm Brewing Co, which is based in Macclesfield and was unfamiliar to me. It proved to be an exceptionally refreshing session pale ale.

Barley Hops

I made my way back to the High Street for my upcoming visit to “Barley Hops.” This delightful micropub features a well-designed layout with a combination of low and high tables on the ground floor, while the upper level serves as a cocktail bar on Fridays and Saturdays. This afternoon, I was greeted with a warm welcome from the owner, Paul.

During Congleton’s “Big Beer Weekend”, a tap takeover event was organized featuring beers from Poynton’s “Neighbourhood Brew Co”. Upon my arrival, I had the opportunity to meet the brewer. The selection included 7 keg beers and 3 cask beers, with most of them being from Neighbourhood Brew Co. I began with their “City Lights”, a delightful pale ale with a smooth and hoppy flavour. For my second drink, I opted for “Fractal” from Knypersley’s “Hop Lab Brewery”, a delicious and easy-to-drink Mosaic pale ale.

It was a pleasure chatting with Jake and Karin from Neighbourhood Brew Co while in Barley Hops.

Beartown Tap

My last visit in the town centre will be to “Beartown Tap.” Established in 1999, it is now under independent ownership; previously, it served as the taproom for the nearby Beartown Brewery, which now operates its own taproom, as I noted in an earlier visit. This charming traditional pub features various distinct areas, including a spacious upper level. The lovely secluded outdoor beer garden is particularly inviting on sunny days and hosts live musical performances. The establishment offers food on select days, with today’s special being Greek cuisine. The hospitality at the bar is exceptionally warm and welcoming.

An outstanding selection of five cask beers from Beartown Brewery is available, complemented by a variety of nine keg beers, lagers, and ciders. I opted for “Glacier” from Beartown Brewery, which is a light and easily drinkable pale ale with a subtle hop character, making it quite refreshing.

The Queen’s Head

The last stop of the day involved a 15-minute uphill stroll to return to the Railway Station. I stopped by “The Queen’s Head,” a wonderful spacious pub, divided into multiple areas, with a vast beer garden that leads directly to the canal towpath. They offer a delectable food selection, and I enjoyed a delicious burger. The staff provided a friendly and welcoming atmosphere during my visit.

There is an impressive selection of 6 cask beers available at the bar today, offering a variety of styles to suit different preferences. I ultimately opted for the “Lemon Head” beer from Mayflower Brewery in Wigan. This particular brew is infused with a delightful lemon flavour, crafted using Citra hops, making it a truly refreshing choice.