The Cleveland Arms, Wirral

There's really only here and the local Wetherspoon's where you can get real ale in New Ferry. It's a fairly desolate place for beer drinkers. The Cleveland Arms is located along the main pedestrianised street through New Ferry, a road that was decimated by a huge gas explosion a few years back. Two areas of wasteland nearby bear testimony to the fateful evening when the pub was shook and severely damaged. It's back to being a basic no-frills locals boozer. I was initially greeted with a bit of scepticism from the barmaid, who obviously didn't recognise me. But she soon turned out to be fairly friendly. A few old boys were propping up the bar, which had a couple of handpulls. One sports Trapper's Hat. The other has the guest beer, which on this occasion was Clogwyn Gold.