The Queens Head, Congleton

Closest to the north bound platform of Congleton station, it’s a pub and B&B. If you can find the unlabelled door to the bar it’s U Shaped with the pumps to the left. There were today eight pulls with; Bass, Slaters Premium, a house badged beer, Abbott and Whim Ales Flower Power. Nine keg taps on the back wall but they’re just national kegs, I went for the Slaters which was drinkable but mediocre. I was looking for somewhere to eat close to the station but given the uninterested staff I thought better of it. Building wise it’s a large single room with a central horseshoe shaped servery allowing the staff to hide round the back. Flag floor in the front, woodish behind, wood burner one end, open fire the other. The counter is made of a representation of cask staves and long opened out hoops - sort of. It’s a sort of pub. No; it’s a family friendly, pub themed restaurant, to be honest.

Facebook page of The Queens Head - www.facebook.com

Facebook page of The Queens Head - www.facebook.com

Mr Fastard's review gives accurate detail on the Queens Head which has clearly had a relatively recent makeover both inside and out. It remains for me to list the available ales on our visit: Front Row Engage, Theakstons Old Peculiar, Abbot, Black Sheep, Grafton Silhouette, Bass and Joules Pale Ale. The Bass was very good but that isn't a great selection over 7 handpumps. A handy lunch stop if you're navigating the Macclesfield Canal but I wouldn't make a special visit.

There has been a serious spruce up both inside and out since my last visit and part of the building is used for B&B ,so the Hotel part of the name is accurate.The front door opens into the main lounge with a traditional fireplace,upholstered bench seating and round tables while at the rear is a raised dining area and some nooks and crannies.Carrying around the island bar,the corridor takes you to a pool room with darts and flat screen.This was formerly the public bar ,and there is a further snug with it's own counter but with the dividing doors removed years ago.However the interior layout is still very traditional. There are eight handpumps but I felt the range was not that well thought out with serveral national brands ( ie GK Abbott ) and the only dark option being Old Peculier.The barmaid offered a taster of an obscure micro brew but told us that Bass and Joules Pale Ale were the best sellers and this proved good advice, both were spot on. Food features large here and brought a good lunchtime crowd into the lounge,while the bar stools proved popular with the regulars.Muzak in the public bar was much too loud but there were some display cabinets with interesting collection of beer mats and pump clips. Outside there is an impressive decked patio and a large garden.There are steep steps down to the towpath of the Macclesfield Canal which need care if you want to avoid a long drop when well oiled. A good place for a couple of pints ,a higher rating would have been awarded if a better range of ales were available in this 2013 GBG entry.