Marchington is a classic Staffordshire farmland village in that it feels like it’s in the middle of nowhere but reality (and this map) tells you it’s not far from either Uttoxeter or Burton.
Picturesque and quintessentially British are a couple of well-used phrases that spring to mind when my pal and I were driving towards our destination 222 – The Dog And Partridge ST14 8LJ.
It serves Bass so is clearly a classy joint (!) and was Uttoxeter CAMRA Pub of the Year in 2017 and is well regarded so we thought it was worth a visit on a Wednesday evening.
This boozer is active on social media and has built up a reputation for its live music and food to such an extent that James Bond paid a visit.
Now, if you’re based in London then this would be a fairly regular occurrence but in the backwaters of Marchington it is big news when Roger Moore comes in for a pie and a pint! The Man With The Golden Gun is known for being a smooth operator as anyone who recalls his Spitting Image puppet caricature can testify whilst his suave 007 role was iconic.
http://www.tradelocally.co.uk/james-bond-visits-marchington-pub/
So, with the official seal of approval from James Bond and the prospect of proper pub opening hours (i.e. shuts at 3 and reopens at 5/6) then this place appeared to have all the ingredients to be a roaring success.
It was certainly quite full for a Wednesday evening although every table was set up for dining meaning it was more food orientated than I expected.
There was a good selection of around four ales on and I plumped for half of Bass and I’m not sure if it was the fact it was only a half but it wouldn’t have got in my top ten Bass of all time.
Decent enough but it wasn’t in the sort of form to put to set pulses racing for https://twitter.com/oldmudgie, https://twitter.com/NHS_Martin or https://twitter.com/thewickingman.
Don’t get me wrong it was a well-kept country boozer and had loads of memorabilia and breweriana inside as well as the obligatory loud bloke at the bar, who was relatively friendly.
I’m not quite sure what I was expecting and it is the sort of boozer Mrs BB would love as there was lots of character and clutter and it was clearly well kept with plenty of TLC.
As I’ve said on many occasions previously, most country pubs need a lot of food turnover to survive I am always surprised when it appears that there is not really any drinking zones apart from sitting on a stool at the bar.
Nonetheless, my pal and I sat down and had a drink and a stress free 45 minutes here although we weren’t tempted to another drink – not even a medium dry Martini “shaken not stirred” like roger Moore himself!
This pub clearly serves the good people of Marchington and beyond very well and I’m pretty sure it has been a GBG entrant but it wasn’t quite what I expected.
Oh well, it least it proves you’re a man of discernment when it come to Bass.
NB My theory is that if there are “unusual” guest beers on the bar alongside Bass in the Midlands,the Bass will be average, as they’ll be pushing the Burton Bridge or Beartown or whatever. If you serve Bass, just serve Bass (and scratchings).
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That’s a good theory…my pal was eating a pack of nuts, not scratchings, so that only adds more weight to your theory!
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All Bass men are men of discernment. Bass is the sign of sophistication.
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Absolutely! I am glad our sophistication and general suave approach to life is finally being recognised.
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Whereas in a pub serving Bass and Pedigree, both will probably be good 😋
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Excellent point.
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That is usually the case I have to say…wise words Mudge
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And does Bass really need a jamjar? 🤔🔺
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I don’t mind a jam jar…can’t see the need personally but no issue with it either way…
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This pub is in the 2018 Good Beer Guide, but it does describe it as a “former restaurant” which may accout for its lack of pubbiness.
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The problem with pub blogging is that you can only take a snapshot in time when you are there. It might be hugely different on any given day but was Ok when I was there but clearly doing well…
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There’s only one Dog and Partridge in my eyes and that’s half way up Bordhill on the A628 on the Yorkshire side of Woodhead Pass. Always been good and still is. I’m not sure if it’s in GBG and I can’t be bothered to get out of bed too find out?
I’m not familiar with the Bass pump clip. Why does it need to say Premium Ale on it?
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Yorkshire has some excellent pubs on my rare forays up there…in fact I am about to give it the ultimate accolade and blog about it!
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Bass and music; I can see why you like it. 🙂
“but in the backwaters of Marchington it is big news when Roger Moore comes in for a pie and a pint! ”
I thought at first you meant this was a few years ago but realised it was quite recent after reading the link. 🙂
“and it is the sort of boozer Mrs BB would love”
Good reason to go back and give the Bass another try. 😉
“but it wasn’t quite what I expected.”
Could be it’s better suited for you and Mrs BB rather than with one of your mates. Nowt wrong with that.
Cheers
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I reckon Roger is a big Bass drinker Russ 🔺🔺 yes a good boozer for my better half and I….miles better than any farmhouse Inn, vintage Inn or fayre and square to name but a few..
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