Warrington Real Ale

Interested in drinking the good stuff in real pubs with real people

Real Ale in Warrington

started by knibbd (21 August 2008)

knibbd

Admin

21 August 2008

Anyone got any views on the ale scene in this area (apart from CAMRA, 'cos I probably already know you and your views!)
I’m really trying to get a decent overview of requirements, chaps (and chapesses)
Templar

21 August 2008

I am afraid I don’t know the area so I am not much use. I am staggered at the cost of ale down here in the south and how “off” it tastes too!
bluesofty

22 August 2008

Know little about ale!
knibbd

Admin

9 September 2008

I am also staggered at the cost in other areas. Just heard about some of the York pubs charging silly money for “normal” drinks. As a comparison for others; We charge £2.50 per pint for Fosters and Carlsberg lager, £2.10 for Tetleys or Theakstons mild and a flat rate of £2.60 for any guest bitter, irrespective of specific gravity. How does that compare with others?
bluesofty

9 September 2008

I think it’s a little less down here…but depends on the venue …
What is ale as opposed to bitter? Is ale lager?
knibbd

Admin

9 September 2008

This goes back a long way and the definitions have changed over the years. Broadly speaking, real ale is, nowadays, used to describe a living product - the yeast is still working when it is put into the barrel, and continues to develop character throughout the process. Keg beers are killed off when they are put into kegs and “livened up” by introducing gases into the system to push them out of the keg. In England, this includes lagers, hence the hatred of our lagers seen in most European countries. “Lager” refers to the method of storage - in a cold cellar, which aids the bottom-fermenting yeast to drop and leave the lovely, clear beer at the top. This is, of course, how it should be done and is in other countries.
The drawback of real ale is that the taste cannot be guaranteed as a lot depends upon the storage and handling of the casks by the cellarman. It also means that it can be a new experience every time you try it.
bluesofty

9 September 2008

Gosh, thanks, I didn’t know any of that.
knibbd

Admin

15 May 2009

Have had to raise the price of mild to £2.20 a pint , but nothing else changed even after the budget! We are also offering a cask mild at £2 a pint as May is Mild Month in CAMRA.
Still no requests from locals - We’ll listen to any suggestions and do our best!
knibbd

Admin

7 September 2010

Just introduced our "own" bitter as offered by one of the real ale breweries. A 3.6% abv bitter, sold as St Elphin's Special, in honour of our adjacent church, at £2.20 a pint. The first barrel sold out in two days and nights! (That's nine gallons - 72 pints)
Orfy

23 November 2010

I think Warrington is now on the Map when it comes into real Ale.

I think there must be 30-40 different real ales within a Mile or so radius.
I had a couple of Cracking Stouts/Porters and IPA/PA's over the last few days.

It's a pitty we can't get all the real ale pub landlords blogging or listing (in one place) the Ales available.
knibbd

Admin

9 July 2011

We are now out of the Ring O' Bells - bills getting far too high and pubco wouldn't negotiate. There are a good few real ale pubs around, though. The Marquis of Granby has now "joined the fold" starting with two handpumps - usually two of Bombardier, Black Sheep Bitter, Directors or Hobgoblin. All taste good. The Lower Angel and The Tavern have excellent selections and both brew their own as well. The Albion is trying to get permission to brew their own (brewery already to go).
Peter York

16 July 2012

Hi
I couldn’t help but notice your thread here. I am from the Explore Food and Drink team at the University of Chester. We will be running free training workshops in craft brewing and brew quality along with more artisan food courses. We are also in the process of setting up a Brewers network for the northwest. I think that Warrington is currently under represented at our meeting so far. If you are interested please email me at p.york@chester.ac.uk.