The Old Swan, on Hartshill Bank, Stoke, closed in late summer and is now offered for sale.

The Catholic Church, owners of the Archer in Wolstanton, are reported to be interested in letting the building. Being situated in a conservation area severely limits the prospect for demolition, and the local authority, encouraged by the Potteries Pub Preservation Group, has prevented its fabric from deteriorating too badly. But will it reopen as a pub?

REAL ALE AT KPA

At Keele University, the KPA (Keele Postgraduate Association), which is a private members club, they have real ale in abundance. There are usually a couple of independent guests on handpull, but in October Michael ‘Spike’ Crossley really excelled himself with live music and barbeques to complement the dozen or so ales he had on at the same time. "My beers sell very quickly, so they’re always fresh", ‘Spike’ told Potters Bar in between cooking burgers and steaks. Situated behind the Students Union building at the entrance to the Horwood residences. CAMRA members should certainly give the KPA a try.

Alan Durber, genial host of the Good Beer Guide listed Black Horse in Chesterton, has retired from the licenced trade. Alan states that the new landlord of the former Alton’s of Derby house does not intend to alter what Alan has established. Alan restored the Alton’s etched windows at great expense (3 are still original) and re-introduced cask ale into a pub which had been keg since the 1960s (a Double Diamond works wonders?). He added guest ales, albeit Tapsters Choice, so that beers from the likes of Jennings of Cumbria and Adnams of Suffolk could be enjoyed by the people of Chesterton. Thanks Alan, you’ll be missed....

The Red Lion in Leek’s market square was reopened by Manchester family brewers, Hydes, at the beginning of November.

The Staff of Life in Stoke has reopened and is selling an excellent pint of Draught Bass, plus Worthington Bitter.

Mike Cunningham, former licensee of April’s Pub of the Month, Gray’s Corner in Stoke is now keeping the Draycott Arms at Draycott in the Moors. Mike’s standards were high when he was in Stoke, and this is likely to continue in Draycott, where Mike has Marston’s Bitter & Pedigree, plus a guest beer. The Draycott Arms is open 12-2. 5.30-11, with bar snacks and restaurant.

Real Ale, Real Steam, Real Cuisine!

On two successive weekends I visited the Foxfield Light Railway, a gem of a preserved steam railway near Blythe Bridge, writes Neil Farden.

There I encountered real steam locomotives built by Kerr Stuart & Co. Ltd., real ale from Titanic and real Staffordshire oatcakes with a variety of fillings

Foxfield may boast a very small bar, but its two handpulls dispense excellent real ale. When I visited in August I found Titanic Premium, Shugborough Farmer’s Half, Burton Bridge Bitter and Parting Shot and, in addition, bottled Titanic Stout, all in excellent condition.

I asked Dave Thexton how he did it, and he explained that he takes the beer in 4½ gallon pins and uses nine gallon firkins only at peak times, so he does not have to use an aspirator. Opening hours are: Friday 7pm to 10pm; Saturday 6pm to 11pm; Sunday 7pm to 10pm, but all day Sunday when the railway is in operation. A ‘phone call in winter may be a good idea as it opens for working members, but the general public are made to feel at home.

GEORGE & DRAGON MAKEOVER

"Probably the most traditional pub in Newcastle" says the new sign outside the George and Dragon in Newcastle’s Ironmarket. A recent refurbishment of the premises has resulted in a crisp, clean look to the exterior, including smart new signs, and a delightful children friendly beer garden in what was once the back yard. In years gone by the beer on offer was "Bass Only", but now there may be up to four cask ales with a choice from Timothy Taylor’s Landlord, Morland’s Old Speckled Hen, Greene King Abbot, Marston’s Pedigree, Courage Director’s and, oh yes, Bass!

The George and Dragon changes character throughout the day. At lunchtime, shoppers bide awhile, recovering from their efforts. In the afternoon things start to liven up, depending upon the racing/football on the t.v. In the evening the volume level raises appreciably - but then it has to, to compete with the other bright lights of Newcastle!

9th annual beer festival takes place at their Boon Hill pavilion from 28th November until 2nd December. 25 different beers are being supplied by local wholesaler Simply Cask.

Wrenbury (next to Wrenbury Station) Beer Festival takes place on 28th, 29th & 30th December. Open 11-11, with evening entertainment. Up to 30 beers inc. Dabber’s Gold (5%) Paradise Bitter (4%) Happy Hooker (3.8%) from the Paradise Brewery. 

Front Page Pub of the Year 2000 Pints of View Titanic News Try the N/4

Potteries Pub Preservation Group Belgium in a Bottle 20th Stoke Beer Festival Report

Beartown Brewery Letters

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