Crown Wharf, Stone

Crown Wharf is a massive barn of a place which, according to one of the many bar staff, is located on the old Joules Brewery site. The long central bar counter is split midway along by a sliding wall that separates the right-hand theatre side from the ‘German Beer Hall’ to the left. The full Joule’s range was available on keg and cask, I went for the Chocolate Corker which was decent. Whilst waiting for my pint I noted that there are booths opposite the bar counter along the front wall and one of the booth sides is a door that has all Joule’s pubs etched into it. Flag stones run throughout as well as wood paneling and glazed tiles. High tables, banquettes standard tables, take your pick. On the left-hand wall is a large fireplace that adds to the German beer hall vibe. The toilets are upstairs where some more rooms can be found. I thought these rooms had more of a Viking getaway feel and could imagine tribal meetings being held here, but I was quite pished. A traditional pub this isn’t, but I liked it and would return.

A new development of semi-traditional brick buildings with a canal-side patio, which has been well described by the previous reviewer. As well as the usual Joules shtik of reused or recreated pub fittings and ephemera, there is a nice touch where each of their pubs has contributed something of particular interest from their own establishment; the one that caught my eye was a Wem brewery plate from the White Lion in that small town (see photo). There are three sets of four hand pumps around the bar, with the four same beers on each, but it wasn't that busy when I was here and unfortunately this was reflected in the quality of the beer. My half of Joules Pale was a bit lacking in condition and struggled to reach NBSS 2.5 (whereas the same beer drunk in Wem a couple of weeks previously had been NBSS 4 in the same brewery's Castle Hotel).