please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
I reckon it must be about 10 years since I last went here. I’m not sure why because it’s a great pub and only a 15 min train journey from home. It may have been because it used to only open at 7.30pm on weekdays, plus limited luncvhtimes at weekends. Anyway, thanks to Whatpub I discovered it’s now open all day on Sundays (and from 4pm weekdays), so I ventured over last Sunday.
The pub is in a great location, slap bang next to the junction of the Trent & Mersey and Macclesfield canals. There are a couple of benches you can sit on by the canal, but due to the angles, it’s likely you’ll be in shadow. Inside, well they say the place is under new management (previous landlord retired), but I could really see any difference. It is very plainly but comfortably furnished, with the bar on the right, and two other rooms on the left. But the main attraction is the beer !
There were 6 beers on handpump. I couldn’t decide between two of them (Falstaff, Fistful of Hops and Beowulf Dark Raven) so tried both – and they were both in absolutely excellent condition !
The only downside I could see is that the landlord spent most of the time sitting in the corner chatting to his mates, rather than serving behind the bar !
9/10 – a cracking boozer !
|
Consistently great beers with numerous cask ales. Dog friendly too
|
The Blue Bell was our third pub of the day in North Staffordshire after the Foxhound in Biddulph Moor and the Royal Oak at Harriseahead. Neither of those are listed on here. The Blue Bell has a nice location next to a double lock on the canal. It seemed a fairly friendly place and had a good range of ales - Church End Vicar's Ruin, Beowulf Gold Work, Burton Bridge Bitter, Woodlands Best Bitter, Elgoods Prawn Free & Rudgate Ruby Mild. There were also 2 real ciders - Thatchers Traditional & Heritage, plus a perry - Westons Country Perry. It's not particularly easy to find, which is probably a good thing. But it is well worth seeking out.
|
Everyone living in or visiting Staffordshire or Cheshire should know about the Blue Bell. It's small and intimate with a magnificent supply of beers (the Whim Arbor Light was one of the best when I was there recently). My only gripe was that they forgot to call last orders, otherwise I would give it10 out of 10.
|
This place has everything a good local/pub. A choice of ale from mild through golden to stout. Brilliant. It appears very well supported by the local community and deserves it. Lovely atmosphere inside with convivial chatter.
|
Found an easier route to this place from the stationalong the brown canal. Still a good pub with decent ales.
anonymous - 11 Apr 2012 22:08 |
Here on Saturday lunch time and just as good as stated byTGW's post.
I was however disapointed with their opening hours.
On a Saturday they are only open from 1.00-4.00 and close then till 7.00.
I was at the footy so had the best part on an hour to spare before my train was due so had to slum it next door in the Canal Tavern.
|
During an entire week 'doing' the Cheshire Ring, sampling a fair number of pubs of varying worthiness, the Blue Bell Inn probably came out as the best in the opinion of our 8-strong crew. Indeed, we did the ring anti-clockwise mainly to ensure a visit could be made. And we weren't disappointed, with 6 cask ales served (at prices which were a godsend to South-Easterners like us - �2.40 a pint!) and were sourced from local breweries and many beyond. Each were sampled and found to be kept brilliantly. Apparently the licensees are CamRA award winners and I'm not surprised at these plaudits. Plainly the couple running the show know a thing or two about cellarmanship. The pub is attractive inside and out, and we managed to find seating despite it being a busy Saturday night. Locals and other canallers were on board, all enjoying the wares. We had a very hearty time of it and the mood was perfectly-conducive for a damn good session! Although last orders were not late, the landlady very generously allowed as much time as we required to sup up our beers. I'm not surprised to find BITE users so far saving this on average as 9.1. Given the context of the local area, which is not exactly saturated with outstanding ale outlets, this place really stands out and deserves the credit it receives. Long may this continue.
|
Canalside pub down the end of a cul-de-sac. Almost walked past before realising it was a pub. They had five ales on - went for the Dark Star American Pale which was an excellent pint. Pleasnt place with a main bar and two areas along with a room at the back. Kidsgrove station isn't far away and the number 20 Crewe-Hanley bus stops close by.
anonymous - 5 Jun 2010 23:03 |
How a pub should be always have a great nite in here. Great staff and good mix of customers.
fedor - 12 Mar 2009 15:46 |
Made a welcome return here last night. Delighted to find it was up to its usual very high standard. A real traditional pub, friendly people behind the bar, excellent range of ales, good atmosphere and conversation. Definitely one of my top five in the country.
|
A good conversation pub. Friendly staff & locals. Spent a great evening in here when boating on the canals. 5 varied beers in good condition (all were sampled by our crew) & prices cheap. Lots of CAMRA & beer related books on the shelves to browse.
|
Classic Potteries style town pub in a lovely spot by the junction of 2 canals. No lager, no music, no games - just good beer served by people who genuinely care about real ale.
|
excellent selection of beers and unusual lagers changing all the time. check opening times if travelling. like a trip back to the early sixties inside. good range of punters and the atmosphere puts a smile on your face. one of the very best anywhere.
|
Paid my first visit recently - definitely NOT my last. Superb pub, superb beer, superb people who really care. Can I give it 11 out of 10?
|
Wonderful multi-roomed canal side free house Friendly and civilised, excellent and interesting beer Another Staffs classic up there with Coachmakers
|
A truely excellent real-ale pub. Very small but unparalleled selection of real-ales and strong lagers. There are new beers appearing almost every night of the week - a chalk board records the beers that have guested there - the figure is in the 1000's! No smoking, sky, TV or jukebox - great!; quiet and friendly crowd. First class beer, very well looked after by people who clearly take a pride in what they do - shame it's 2 miles from where I live hoever I can't really think of a valid reason to mark it less than 10.
|
If you want a proper traditional pub with great beer, small rooms, no Sky TV or other intrusions, look no further. Just north of Harecastle canal tunnel which is how we arrived there, we stood outside for a few minutes before going in, unsure if it was still open! Hidden down a back street but visible from the canal if you look hard. Don't miss it. Really friendly. Good sandwiches (tested) usually available.
anonymous - 3 Jan 2007 12:47 |
Between two canals, this pub is a beer drinker's paradise: a row of handpumps with an ever-changing choice of beer from micro-breweries. No juke-box, fruit machine or cigarette machine; a 'no smoking' room (too small!) and a friendly crowd of customers. On summer evenings you can enjoy your pint on the towpath.
anonymous - 17 Sep 2005 02:40 |
