The Raven, Crewe

As the previous reviewer says, this doesn't look much more than an estate pub at first glance. However, its listing in the 2022 Good Beer Guide suggested that it could be worth a visit. The front bar was boisterous, with a darts match in progress. There are a number of handpulls in here, along with more in the rear lounge, which was slightly less noisy despite the presence of a few screaming children and a live FA Cup match being shown on the TV screens. A stage at the back of the room was to be used later in the evening for some live music. Handpulls in the lounge had different beers to that of the bar. Sharp's Doom Bar is the regular ale. Guest beers were Wye Valley Butty Bach, Timothy Taylor Boltmaker, Ossett White Rat & Beartown Kodiak & Bluebeary. A corridor at the side connects the bar and the lounger and presumably also provided access to the roof terrace. Well away from central Crewe, don't rule this one out.

Looks like a rather undistinguished estate pub (both inside and out), but there is more here than initially meets the eye. Yes, the front bar is quite plain, and the larger rear lounge is quite dark, but it has an upstairs terrace that opens at certain times and a reputation for live music. It is also Good Beer Guide listed, with four real ales available from the bank of three handpumps on each counter: Butcombe Citra, Pennine's Pacific, Cheshire Pale from Mobberley Brewhouse (£3.50) and... Doom Bar.