The Queens Head, Congleton

The Queens Head is one of two pubs that stand guard beside Congleton Railway Station, and upon entry I quickly realised that this is the superior of the two. The central bar counter supports eight hand pumps that were drawing Bass, Beartown Brewery’s Queens Pale, Spitting Feathers Old Wavertonian, GK Abbot, TT Landlord and Collyfobble Brewery’s Black Ower Bill’s Mother. The ten keg fonts on the back bar were drawing another offering from Beartown plus standard and premium keg, I think this is the first time I’ve seen Carling on the back bar. Food is also available, I noted a burger of the month advertisement. The floor in the bar area is tiled with seating that runs across the front windows and up both side walls. At the rear is a raised wooden floor seating area that I imagine gets used more for dining. There was some low background music playing and live weekend music was advertised. The service was friendly, but this pub is card payments only. This place may be a bit too food led in the day, but it wasn’t during my Thursday evening visit. I ‘d pop back in if passing.

Closest to the north bound platform of Congleton station, it’s a pub and B&B. If you can find the unlabelled door to the bar it’s U Shaped with the pumps to the left. There were today eight pulls with; Bass, Slaters Premium, a house badged beer, Abbott and Whim Ales Flower Power. Nine keg taps on the back wall but they’re just national kegs, I went for the Slaters which was drinkable but mediocre. I was looking for somewhere to eat close to the station but given the uninterested staff I thought better of it. Building wise it’s a large single room with a central horseshoe shaped servery allowing the staff to hide round the back. Flag floor in the front, woodish behind, wood burner one end, open fire the other. The counter is made of a representation of cask staves and long opened out hoops - sort of. It’s a sort of pub. No; it’s a family friendly, pub themed restaurant, to be honest.

Facebook page of The Queens Head - www.facebook.com

Facebook page of The Queens Head - www.facebook.com

Mr Fastard's review gives accurate detail on the Queens Head which has clearly had a relatively recent makeover both inside and out. It remains for me to list the available ales on our visit: Front Row Engage, Theakstons Old Peculiar, Abbot, Black Sheep, Grafton Silhouette, Bass and Joules Pale Ale. The Bass was very good but that isn't a great selection over 7 handpumps. A handy lunch stop if you're navigating the Macclesfield Canal but I wouldn't make a special visit.