Ye Cracke (Free House)
Visits Details
18 Sep 2023 (Jack William)
Mid evening. Tucked away with a very off-putting frontage. I suppose old illuminated Bass and Marstons signs are part of our pub heritage though. Main bar was almost empty and felt rather depressing after the splendour of the previous pubs. I found the War Office though and then had a good chat with a couple of locals in the snug. Can’t remember what beer was on!
29 Aug 2014 (HSB)
14:45 Busy in all areas. We managed to occupy the War Office.
JW Lees (see also Lees) - The Governor | 3.80 | | Marco Pierre White collaboration. |
Phoenix - Wobbly Bob | 6.00 | Not Tried | |
Thwaites - Original | 3.60 | Not Tried | |
30 Jun 2011 (Ian)
Lively afternoon with striking teachers and beer geeks sharing the jukebox
Peerless - Paxtons Peculiar | 4.10 | | Nutty and biscuity brown bitter |
Northern (see also Blakemere) - Jewel | 4.60 | | Dusty musty golden bitter |
25 Feb 2010 (Ian)
Cleaned up a bit with some new wooden stools. Third pub on my fall down the hill. Does real cider as well. Still a good feel of a local small pub in the city. Now does free Wifi.
AllGates - Mild At Heart | 3.80 | | Deep brown, lasting dark beige head. Dark fruit with some malt on aroma. Little roasted malt presence. More like sweet dark plum, jammy, blackberry flavours. It's super to be honest. Great mild. Only vague sting on finish, but the fruity malts are brilliant. |
Cains - Finest Bitter | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
Wem (formerly Hanby) - Cherry Bomb | 6.00 | Not Tried | |
Northern (see also Blakemere) - Two Tone | 4.70 | Not Tried | |
Slater's - Wee Sleekit | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
25 Apr 2008 (Ian)
They seemed to have really cleaned this pub up and there was a trio of guys from Ulster who I ran into in the Fly in the Loaf too.
Scattor Rock - Dartmoor Blonde | 3.20 | | Gold, thin off white head. Bit of yeast on aroma. Citrus and hops are ok. I’ve tasted worse beers at 3.2%. Fine, moderate flavour/tastiness. OK, so not great depth in mouth, but a hot summer’s day and a couple of these, I’d be happy. Bit of Burton snatch on the aroma. Must be all that granite in the water. |
Hydes - St George's Bitter | 4.30 | | Gold, lasting pale beige head. Not hugely interesting, some sweaty sox. It’s ok, the hop is tasty, rest is so-so. Bit minerally. Lemon too. Sweaty sox dominate. |
Cains - Finest Bitter | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
Phoenix - Wobbly Bob | 6.00 | Not Tried | |
Phoenix - Arizona | 4.10 | Not Tried | |
Phoenix - Best Bitter | 3.90 | Not Tried | |
Hydes - Jekyll's Gold | 4.30 | Not Tried | |
02 Jan 2008 (Ian)
Not a wonderful mix of clientele I thought, so I had a couple of swift halves and left. Mind you the barmaid did poor me a half of the Wobbly Bob and bring it over to my table when it was ready.
Phoenix - Wobbly Bob | 6.00 | | This is a favourite strong beer with requisitie strong hop finish. A little pukey on aroma and malts for some reason. |
Slater's - High Five | 5.00 | | Chestnut colour with thin beige head. Premium bitter, some of that Slater’s richness, caramel. Pretty basic, some dry malt and caramel. Not much hop present. Some malty syrupy fruit. Not great. |
Burton Bridge - Damson Porter | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
Slater's - Supreme | 4.70 | Not Tried | |
Phoenix - Oak Best Bitter | 3.90 | Not Tried | |
Beartown (latterly part of Manning Brewers) - Bear Ass | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
21 Mar 2007 (Ian)
Empty really when I visited. Friendly welcome and interesting range of beers.
Archers - Blarney Stoned | 4.50 | | Chestnut colour with lasting beige head. There is some sweet malt in the mouth. Yeast, light citrus aroma. Earthy, muddy feel to it. Touch too much candy sugar or not fully attenuated. Bit malty and unsubtle and too sweet. |
Cains - Finest Bitter | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
Thwaites - Original Bitter | 3.60 | Not Tried | |
Phoenix - Oak Best Bitter | 3.90 | Not Tried | |
Hilden - Silver | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
18 Jan 2006 (Ian)
I hadn't been here since the 1st or 2nd year of University i.e. the very early '90s and I hadn't realised what a good pub this is. I sat in the War Office room inbetween the two bars enjoying the quiet hum of the locals at the public bar and the ticking clock. Excellent pub and I shall be returning next time I'm in the city.
Slater's - On The Pull | 5.20 | | Chestnut colour with lasting beige head. Lovely red fruit with strawberry jam, rich, malt aroma. More soft strawberry flavour in mouth. Touch of vanilla too. Finish has some hop to balance the sweetish fruit. Hidden alcohol makes this dangerous. Nice though and slightly perfumed |
Phoenix - Wobbly Bob | 6.00 | | Pale chestnut with creamy head. Good hop/malt nose. Warm malts and a touch of walnut. Smooth in mouth. Good hop finish. Well balanced beer. Strength doesn’t intrude on the flavour. Good frutiy malts up front and in mouth balanced by drying hop finish. Good English strong ale. Nice almost whisky malts on aroma, thick fruity malt flavours in mouth with long dry finish. Some red berry fruit too. Highly recommend trying this. |
Phoenix - Oak Best Bitter | 3.90 | | Copper borwn with disappearing beige head. Refreshing bitter. Good lively green hops. Slightly earthy hop aroma. Fine in mouth, just enough malt. Finish is hoppily dry and refreshes the palate for the next sip. Good session bitter with some citrus throughout |
Slater's - Supreme | 4.70 | | Golden with thin white head. Oaky/hoppy aroma, nice warm citrus flavours in mouth before hops kick in. Some yeast, especially on aroma. Not convinced in best condition. Maybe a little tired |
Cottage - A New Year Cracker | 4.50 | | Chestnut with thick lasting creamy head. Slightly rich, caramel flavour. Some earthiness. Not really my style of beer. Like the Station House 4 A That I had the day before, it feels muddy, indistinct. Some ginger, but not my sort of bitter |
Weetwood - Blonde | 4.00 | | Golden, thin white head. Sweaty socks hop aroma and a tad herby. Like a summer ale in mouth with hoppy dry finish. Some citrus, but a bit fuller than most blondes/summer beers. Quite nice really. Summer beer on a mild January day |