Macclesfield: Multiple Macclesfield venues make CAMRA Good Beer Guide 2024
By Alex Greensmith
28th Sep 2023 | Local News
Five Macclesfield venues have made the CAMRA Good Beer Guide for 2024.
Today, the CAMRA Good Beer Guide has been released, with Macclesfield having the joint-highest pubs and bars featured in the county.
In alphabetical order, the pubs and bars which have been honoured for their real ale are as follows:
The Castle
Boasting three changing beers (often RedWillow, Storm, Wincle), the pub, part of Macclesfield's Castle Quarter, reopened in 2021, and has impressed real ale lovers ever since.
The guide says: "The pub is small from the outside but has plenty of seating inside, with four separate rooms, two of which are served from a handsome bar area.
"The beer range from the three handpulls is often local and always includes a good mix of styles. There is an imaginative food menu."
The 18th century pub is found on Church Street. It has a charming upstairs beer garden.
They have also held a cider festival for the past two years.
Publican Rebecca Prunty said: "As a small independent business we work really hard to source the very best beer for our bar and are proud to work with so many great breweries, especially those on our doorstep in Macclesfield."
"We look forward to continuing to showcase their beer in our beautiful little pub and are super grateful for the support of our wonderful customers."
Happy Valley Tap & Pizza
Happy Valley Pub makes the list as a new entry this year.
The pub is located at 73 Oxford Road, and has a large beer garden.
They have four changing beers, many of which are brewed on site round the back of this quaint residential pub.
The guide states: "Happy Valley brewery's taproom features a wide range of ever-changing cask ales, mainly from the host brewery, as well as many others in keg and bottle."
The pub is also renowned for live music and pizza.
Jack in the Box
The bar inside The Picturedrome makes the CAMRA Good Beer Guide for another year.
The only Macclesfield Chestergate entry in this year's guide, the bar has a rotating cast of cask drinks.
From Congleton's Beartown, to Macclesfield's SiDa, to a variety from Manchester mainstays Blackjack Brewery.
The book commends Jack in the Box for their "good range of guests from independent breweries and a wide selection of craft keg and real cider from boxes."
There's also a bee-friendly beer garden outside, where you can order from the bar via little window without having to go back inside.
"We're grateful to have been included in the Guide for another year," said Jack in the Box Manager Lewis.
"Thank you to CAMRA and the wider beer-loving community for their support."
Current guest ales include a Cumbrian pale ale at 4.2%. There's also a craft alcohol-free and low alcohol section.
RedWillow
RedWillow's bar on Park Green makes the list once more.
With plenty of their own beers on tap, the Guide has been a fan of RedWillow for the majority of its existence.
The description reads "The tastefully converted former shop has kept its original period front, along with interesting modern decor.
"Beers on offer are displayed above the bar, with regular and special brews from the brewery on handpull and keg, plus a changing range of guest keg beers, always including at least one dark beer and one cider (usually on handpull). Food is provided by local kitchen takeovers."
Dom Irving, General Manager of RedWillow Macclesfield said: "It is great to be nominated once again in the Good Beer Guide."
"We've being fortunate to be included for a number of years now and continue to strive to brew and serve the best pints you can get alongside some stalwart offerings in and around Macclesfield.
"We serve four cask beers, upto 15 keg lines, many can and bottle offerings as well as an array of traditional bag in box ciders, including locally made SiDa cider.
"We've recently adapted our low alcohol 'Less is More' Pale Ale with new hops and continue to serve no/low offerings all year round, it's proven a great success. We've just come off the back of our 10th birthday celebration as well as our own Oktoberfest festival, keep your eyes peeled for further beer events soon!"
The outdoor seating at the front was also commended for its atmosphere.
The Wharf
The Wharf in east Macclesfield makes the list again.
The Brook Street boozer has five changing beers sourced from across the country, such as Sheffield's Abbeydale or Macclesfield's Wincle.
The Guide praised the pub as follows "A traditional end-of-terrace pub, a short walk from the town centre and close to the Macclesfield Canal, with an attractive canal boat theme."
"This multi award-winning free house has four handpulls serving local and regional beers, always including a gluten free beer."
The live music pub supports local musicians too.
Macclesfield beats Congleton with one extra entry than them, Macclesfield also beats Crewe by the same margin.
Macclesfield's five entries in the list is matched by Chester and Warrington, as towns with the most entries.
The Poachers Inn and The Vale Inn in Bollington also make the list.
Gawsworth's The Harrington Arms also features. The Cask Tavern in Poynton - a Bollington Brewing Company venue - also gets a mention.
Wincle Brewery Shop makes the list as a bar, they also get another commendation in the breweries section as Wincle Brewery.
Wincle Brewing Company founder Giles Meadows said: "We're very pleased to get in the guide for the second consecutive year."
"It's great recognition for our passion and commitment in producing and serving top quality cask ale."
Other companies which are mentioned in both the venue and brewery section includes Bollington Brewing Company Happy Valley and RedWillow.
Macclesfield's Storm Brewing Company also get a mention in the breweries section.
The 2024 edition of the annual book features a cover designed by Iron Maiden frontman Bruce Dickinson.
Macclesfield: You can buy the book HERE.
All five Macclesfield bars featured in the Guide have been contacted for comment.
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