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Beer of the Week (w/e 27th April 2025) with Thuck Phat on the Pub Forum

The Kings Lock, Middlewich

Pub added by elizabeth mcgraw
1 Booth Lane
Middlewich
CW10 0JJ
Phone: 01606836894

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Reviews (Current Rating Average: 7 of 10) Add Review see review guidelines

Blue Scrumpy left this review about The Kings Lock

The King's Lock can be found to the south of Middlewich town centre and enjoys a nice spot adjacent to the Trent & Mersey Canal. Indeed, as I drove over the narrow canal bridge into the pub's well used car park with rather large potholes, I could see that there were plenty of customers enjoying a beer on the outside picnic tables overlooking the comings and goings on the canal.

The pub is situated over 2 levels, with the lower level giving access to another beer garden to the rear of the pub, along with a marquee. I didn't get to see if anybody was at that side of the pub, but I suspect not. At the canal level, you enter the pub to find the bar in front of you. It is shaped like a canal barge with the pub's name written on it. Cakes and cookies can be found at one end, with blackboards listing the beers at the other end. Although, these were out of date. The choice of 4 cask ales was Lancaster Black, Brightside Odin, Tay Brew Co. A State of Flux - Dragon & Four Priests Moston Dragon. The latter was the only one listed on the board. So, I guessed that had been on longest. Craft beers were SALT Serge & Beartown Inception. Ciders were Rekorderlig & Aspall's, whilst Leffe Blonde & Blue Moon were also on keg.

My choice was the Tay Brew Co. beer, which was using a fairly new hop (apparently) called Dragon. I have to say that it wasn't quite to my taste, but seemed to be very popular with other customers and the barman.

The interior is bright and feels fairly modern. There is a tiled floor, with the pub library in a small room to the left. Shelves at the opposite end contained board games, including Scrabble. There were also dog treats and water available for any canine friends. A blackboard listed events with an open mic night every other Tuesday, chess on Wednesday and a quiz night on Thursday. A CAMRA certificate for Pub of the Season winter 2022 for Middlewich could be seen and whilst the pub has not appeared in the Good Beer Guide since 2019, it surely can't be long before it makes a re-appearance. For me, this was the best pub in Middlewich.

On 23rd July 2024 - rating: 6
[User has posted 3040 recommendations about 3038 pubs]

Please Note: This review is over a year old.

Bucking Fastard left this review about The Kings Lock

This pub was a revelation,much changed by a new team who moved in during May 2014.The A board outside listed no tracksuits,no football shirts,no baseball caps among other requirements in a jokey manner but it is correct to say that gone are it's days as a rough boozer.The location was always terrific,right next to Kings Lock on the Trent and Mersey with a beer garden extending around one side of the lock.The interior has had a modern refurb with a lounge area to the left where bench seating around the perimeter looks great,sadly a fireplace has been blocked up.To the right the bar shaped like a narrowboat bows has been retained,as has the quarry tiling and two further fitted benches.It's quite small but very homely and the welcome from the young team was most friendly.I remarked on the complete change and was told that the old regulars were unimpressed,had moved on and that suited everyone.There were six handpumps with four dispensing Salopian Oracle (spot on ),Merlins Excalibur and Dark Magic and Woodlands Witch Prime.The kegs included two from Freedom,there were some interesting bottled beers and behind the bar three cider casks.The real ale selection will have a bias towards locales .
Folk music is also played live ,while the muzak on my trip was varied and interesting.Food is generally served 12-8pm,and was proving popular.
The pub is now owned by Cornerstone Inns with four other pubs nearby in Winsford, judging by whats been done here that must now be a town well worth a visit .
The Kings Lock is another modest sized pub that has been saved by the introduction of decent real ale,and the commitment of a young team.It may have lost it's earthyness but has gained so much more.Along with the White Bear,a must visit if you ever find yourself in Middlewich,

On 9th August 2014 - rating: 8
[User has posted 2936 recommendations about 2936 pubs]