Cherry Tree, Warrington

Real ales available at the time of my visit were TT Landlord (£4.70), Doom Bar (£3.95) and Oakham Citra (£4.35). On a recent visit I went for the Citra which was superb, this time I went for the Landlord as I've not had it for a while and it was a little on the flat side, possibly getting end of barrel. The taste was OK, though nothing to get excited about. Landlord is one of those beers that some people seem to really rave about but to me has never seemed to be anything special. Definitely feels more pub like than the Culcheth Arms, though of course food is served here too. Probably a 6.5 in my book but as I'm feeling charitable it can keep my previous 7/10 rating rather than rounding it down.

Paid a visit last Friday afternoon, and it was actually better than I was expecting. At the bar were seven hand pulls, offering Tetley Cask, Tim Taylor Landlord, Doom Bar, Moorhouse's White Witch, Oakham Scarlet Macaw, Hobgoblin Ruby and Ilkley Mary Jane. I was expecting about three real ales with nothing more exciting than Hobgoblin. I went for the Mary Jane which was £3.45 a pint (£1.75 for a half). Quite a sprawling pub with separate areas and a nice relaxed atmosphere, a pleasant mix of traditional and modern. A fair few customers were in but the size of the pub means it was not overly crowded. The pub does food, menus are on the tables and has some daily deals including Steak Wednesday and Chip Shop Friday. A "2 meals for £10" deal is also available. Sky Sports was showing (golf I think) but muted, with music playing. There is an outdoor sheltered smoking area with tables for those who so desire. I always thought this pub looked a lot less promising than the nearby Culcheth Arms, but seems I was mistaken. I'd be happy to return.

A large, generic gastropub, this one under the auspices the Sizzling Plate franchise. Open plan and with two areas to sit. Annoying-child-friendly to the left with the right for over 10s. Its a nice enough looking pub and there are 7 handpumps on the bar. You will, sadly, not find any beers of interest as its all fairly unadventurous stuff such as Doom Bore, Abbott, Bombardier, Tetleys, Dizzy Blonde, Tim Taylor Landlord.

Official site of Cherry Tree - www.sizzlingpubs.co.uk

Official site of Cherry Tree - www.sizzlingpubs.co.uk