Knutsford

The Lord Eldon is the Good Beer guide entry for the town and usually has three cask ales, with consistently high quality. Since the smoking ban, this is a delight to visit, with its gorgeous frontage, low beams and open fire. It was the Winter Pub of the Season 2007 and present live music once or twice a week.

The Cross Keys continues to boast the widest choice of real ale in Knutsford. A gleaming bank of five hand pumps greets the visitor. One of the regular ales is the delightful Tim Taylor's Landlord, a beer which has won the Champion Beer of Britain award more times than any other. Three of the pumps feature a regularly changing range of guest ales. On a crawl in March, we had some of the best beer we have ever tasted. Brewed by Slaters of Eccleshall, "Grand un" scored 9 out of 10 on our scale. It only narrowly topped the "Muttley's revenge".

The Angel no longer sells Holts Mild, with only the Bitter and a Holts seasonal ale appearing on hand pump. On the edge of town, the Builders Arms has Marstons Bitter starring alongside Banks's Bitter and Original. Nearby, the Legh Arms has had some of the traditional wall panelling ripped out and more of it painted white. The pub looks brighter, but I can't help feeling that it has lost most of what traditional character it still had. Marston's Bitter and pedigree are found here.

We hear that one of Knutsford's pair of keg-only pubs has seen the light and discovered the merits of real ale. The Falcon Bearer has been selling Copper Dragon Best Bitter and IPA, alongside a somewhat more predictable Tetley Bitter. We hear that the landlord is very keen on cask ale, and we wish him every success with this endeavour. The pub may soon be renamed, possibly the Henry Royce.

Mobberley

Some good ale in Mobberley recently. The Good Beer Guide listed Roebuck continues to sell four cask ales to a largely dining clientele, and tastings of Tim Taylor's Landlord, Greene King Abbot and Youngs Special have been most pleasant.
The neighbouring Bull's Head has three cask ales on. The Bull's Head is warm and welcoming, with a true country local atmosphere.

Up the lane, and opposite the church, the eponymous Church Inn was purveying Boddingtons, Tetley and a decent drop of Pedigree on a recent inspection. Being situated a lofted cover drive from Mobberley Cricket Club, this would be an interesting place to adjourn for a meal and a pint after an afternoon watching the MCC! Having said that, a more imaginative choice of beers would tempt me back more often: I wonder if they are free to change the range? Any chance of some Storm, Beartown or other local beers?

The Plough & Flail had changed its range to Boddingtons, Worthington Best Bitter (rare in this neck of the woods), and Draught Bass. This latter was on good form when I visited last year, but I can't help thinking that the range could show have shown a little more imagination. Subsequent to my visit, however, we learn it is closed and boarded up. The rumour is that it was being sold; does anyone know any more?

The Stag at Great Warford changed hands some time ago. The occupants are Laurence Hobday and Alan Burrows, who forecast that by next summer the place will be heaving, with a beer garden in full swing! The kitchens have been completely re-equipped and the whole pub has been redecorated and reupholstered. One room has had a fireplace restored. Food service includes brunch (all day breakfast) available 10.00am (yes) to 2.00pm and Sunday roast 4.00pm to 7.00pm. The beer available is the somewhat unimaginative duo of Boddingtons and Greenalls. The plan is to install a third hand pump, the Boddies will stay (it's apparently very popular!), the Greenalls will go, a possible replacement being Pedigree, and the new pump will dispense a guest beer.

A new CAMRA member has been into the Dun Cow at Ollerton, between Knutsford and Chelford. He describes it as very pleasant, but aimed mainly at diners. He thought that you might feel a little uncomfortable if you were just in for a drink (although it has nver stopped me, and they do have some nice settees!). Three cask ales seemed to be available, including Courage Directors and Marstons Pedigree. The food is good, and not too expensive. The range is good and it is all home-cooked.