A Notts-based man on a mission to have a drink in every single pub, micropub and bar across the entire UK has made a return visit to Congleton and toured Biddulph’s boozers.
Dale – usually with wife Holly – Harvey visited 12 pubs around Congleton and Biddulph as part of a drive to raise the profile on the under-threat pub sector.
Self-styled professional drinker Mr Harvey has visited more than 3,500 pubs. He visited 12 pubs around this area on day 883 of his epic pub crawl, downing a half in each one. The current recommended level for drinking is 14 units a week for both men and women, or about seven pints of average “session” ale (a week).
Mr Harvey said the challenge aimed to raise awareness for “quality” local pubs and hoped to encourage more people to “drink local” at a time when many local pubs and restaurants across the UK were at risk of closure.
Starting on March 16th, 2022, he has drunk at bars up and down the country.
He told the “Chronicle”: “I have a half in each pub. It started as a hobby in March 2022 and has grown into a full-time gig.” He makes money on his social media and merchandise.
In his blog for day 883, he said: “We’ve covered most of the Cheshire/Staffordshire border corridor already now but Biddulph was still awaiting a visit, so I used yesterday to head out solo over that way and tick the town off while also getting back up to Congleton to add a few extras into the mix for the day.
“Although Biddulph was the main aim of the day, it seemed too good of an opportunity not to get a few Congleton places done first that hadn’t been visited on the previous trip, as well as heading back to a few places to get fresh footage for upcoming episodes of our new YouTube series ‘Ten Pubs You MUST Visit’ so I headed out to some of our faves first and you’ll see that new footage very soon.”
That video includes The Beartown Tap, he said.
The first new pub of the day in the centre of Congleton was “a belting place”, he said, “the fantastic” Prince Of Wales, which had been closed and going through a change of landlord when he last visited.
“I’m pleased to report it’s now well and truly back open and thriving. A historic looking Joules pub with a lovely pub dog called Jude who is a fantastic greeter!”
He added: “The beer line-up is excellent and you will even have your keg pints served in perfectly chilled glasses direct from the freezer.”
His other pubs visited in Congleton were as follows.
• The Queen’s Head “another pretty snazzy establishment”. He said: “Plenty of ales on (Bass and Landlord as stalwarts) that include some rotating guest ales and a really good set of keg options. Super-size beer garden, super beer, and a great pub.”
• The Railway: “This one feels more of a dining pub/restaurant than a drinkers’ haunt, but you will find a couple of real ales on and a pool table in the bar area. A well-presented place with great looking menu.”
• The Wonky Pear: “A brilliant little micro pub. The service is very friendly and they’ve a good mix of craft and keg (even having a Vault City Sour on the taps).”
Detour
Over the border and into Staffordshire, he wrote: “Into Biddulph … well almost, as I made a detour for the outskirts first and to make sure I visited the amazing looking pub called The Talbot which is a Vintage Inn brand from Mitchell and Butlers.
“As is the norm with VI pubs, a gorgeous building is stunningly decked out and plenty of dining space as they are predominantly a food-led brand.
“Three ales on the hand pulls, pleasant service and dog friendly. I spent 10 years on and off working for M&Bs and they appear to be going from strength to strength with their offering.”
Other pubs visited in Biddulph and their tasting notes were:
• The Staffordshire Knot, Gillow Heath: “Well worth a detour … a stunning village pub that has clearly had some money spent on it internally as it looks fantastic. A few hand-pulled choices and good keg options. The staff are absolutely lovely and the food looks brilliant!”
• Old Sam’s, open for just six weeks at the time of his visit. His verdict? “Nicely decked out inside, going for a sports bar vibe, with a pool table and dartboard in the rear room, some keg and cask ales and a really welcoming way about the place.”
• The Crafty Flanker, owned by Congleton man Nick Calvert, which continues the rugby theme by being the main hub for Front Row Brewing. “I sampled a chocolate/cherry stout from their own range and found it very impressive. It’s a lovely, welcoming little micro that’s dog friendly and has some additional seating beyond the bar area. Lovely place, lovely people, super beer.”
• The Royal Oak, a “large, traditional style pub that wouldn’t look out of place in the Joules line-up as it is rustic and smartly finished”. He said: “A couple of ales and something a bit different littered among the taps (even having the Brew York Chris Kamara lager on).
• Spoons (“known as The Bradley Green”) was said to offer “friendly service”, and the carpet “isn’t half bad” and “not too shabby at all on the whole”.
• On Tap: a “great little craft beer bar” with customers that have a little bit of banter and “a landlord that is passionate and knowledgeable about what he’s offering”. “A super atmosphere and some top-notch choices in keg and can.”
• Crown and Cushion: “The line-up of Carling, Strongbow, Fosters, John Smiths etc probably tells you all you need to know”. He added: “It’s a nice enough looking pub with a pool table in the back room.”
• The Barley Mow, of which he wrote: “The one that most of the townsfolk said ‘steer clear of’ or ‘don’t bother’ … you know me better than that by now, and know that that just spurs me on further. They have Forged as a stout offering (but) it certainly isn’t ‘rough’ and the customers were some of the friendliest folk you could hope to meet. The landlady is lovely and the whole vibe of the place is that of a great community local where everyone gets on and supports each other! I’ll 100% be back.”
• The Roaring Meg: “Another absolutely brilliant community pub”. Mr Harvey arrived on a packed-out quiz night and said: “You can feel the passion and the love for the pub and its customers.
“A great place to watch the sport and they’ve just launched a new menu that’s very reasonably priced and offers some great-looking burgers and pizzas!”
• The Rose and Crown: up to Biddulph Moor for a second Joules pub of the day “and it’s another banger!” He said: “The classic Joules beer line-up and the pub is beautifully decked out and totally in keeping with the rest of the pubs from Joules. A lovely place.”
• Final stop, The Foxhound: “and what a lovely little place to have finished off my day”.
He wrote: “The landlord/landlady team are really nice people, as are the regulars who were in and this is a true country pub that is right out in the sticks but is 100% worth heading out to check out! A lovely way to finish what was a very successful day!”
His pub tally now reads: 3,527, Prince of Wales; 3,528, Queen’s Head; 3,529, Railway Inn; 3,530, Wonky Pear; 3,531, Talbot; 3,532, Staffordshire Knot; 3,533, Old Sam’s; 3,534, Crafty Flanker; 3,535, Royal Oak; 3,536, Bradley Green; 3,537, On Tap; 3,538, Crown and Cushion; 3,539, Barley Mow; 3,540, Roaring Meg; 3,541, Rose and Crown; 3,542, Foxhound.
See youtube.com/@thegreatbritishpubcrawl for more.
And it’s possibly best if readers who follow his advice to support local pubs and bar do so one venue at a time!
(Photos Dale Harvey).
