The Borough Arms, Crewe

The entrance to the Borough Arms is faced by a bar that is lined with craft and premium keg fonts. To the right is a small seating area and to the left some steps lead up to more seating and a second section of bar that supports ten handpumps, all of which were in operation during my visit just after midday on Saturday. Also in this raised seating area are some stairs that lead down to a lounge and advertised beer garden. The ceiling of the pub is completely covered in old pumps clips and the walls are adorned with framed old beer advertisements, with a few etched mirrors thrown in for good measure. My visit was not long after the pub had opened, but a handful of locals had already found their way in. There was no background music and the TV on the wall was off, I imagine it is saved for rugby! The service was polite and this was certainly the best pub for real ale that I visited during my crawl.

Visited on Tuesday evening and the Borough Arms was very busy. This is a popular pub and with the 10 cask ales on the bar probably has the best selection in Crewe for the discerning real ale drinker. A cosy traditional feeling pub, pump clips all over the ceiling, what looked like a real fire (though not lit) and a TV (not on). No music playing but there was plenty of conversation going on to generate a pleasant atmosphere. A beer garden is signed to the rear. My half of Burton Bridge Top Dog Stout set me back a reasonable £1.85. I can't remember the full line-up but there was a varied selection and surely something for everyone (even Doom Bar).

Doesn't look that much from the street, and don't be too distracted by the Belgian bottled beer signs outside, but this turns out to be an excellent Good Beer Guide pub. Retaining two bars, the side one as you enter has a fine array of (mostly) interesting imported beer founts and some ciders, plus more seating in another room at the back. However, the front bar, located up a couple of steps, has an impressive row of ten handpumps (from which I went for the Mansfield England Pride, £3.25, but could have gone for almost anything from the diverse range of styles on offer). Traditional furniture throughout, although the decor is dominated by Belgian breweriana.

I counted 12 hand pumps, one with a cider on, six others with ales. I think a few beers had run off and not been replaced because the pub was very busy with Luton Town fans. As such, it doesn't seem fair to write a detailed review or award a rating. Beer choice is illustrated by my photos. It was good to see that the town's pubs were benefiting from the visit of the Hatters. Date of visit: 25th November 2017