THE CAMRA Good Beer Guide 2025 has been published today (Thursday, September 26) revealing the pubs with the best range of pints across Chester.

The Campaign for Real Ale’s (CAMRA) Good Beer Guide – the UK’s best-selling beer and pub guide – is celebrating its 52nd edition with not one but two covers featuring two of the UK’s favourite locals: Coronation Street’s Rovers Return Inn, and Emmerdale’s Woolpack.

The Guide, which lists 4,500 of the best pubs across the UK, is the definitive beer drinker’s guide for those seeking the best pints in the nations’ pubs – and is on sale now.

This year’s Guide features 17 new entrants across Cheshire.

Chester pubs

Chester has nine pubs listed in this year's Guide.

Bluestone

Bluestone is the first Chester pub to be highlighted (listed alphabetically) located on Christleton Road.

The micropub in Boughton features three handpumps with three changing beers sourced nationally. Up to four real ciders are also on offer together with a wide range of bottled and canned beers.

Bluestone is also dog friendly.

Brewery Tap

Located on Lower Bridge Street in the city centre, the Brewery Tap has a stunning Jacobean interior with high barrel-vaulted ceilings. Regular drinks include Spitting Feathers, Thirstquencher and Special Ale and five changing beers.

The pub also has freshly prepared food on offer which is sourced locally.

The Brewery Tap is dog friendly.

Cavern of the Curious Gnome

A unique bar with a giant papier-mâché namesake, the Cavern of the Curious Gnome is located on the city’s famous Rows.

The pub’s regular beer is Ossett White Rat and it also offers three changing beers sourced nationally.

Colourful toadstool seats and tables with benching catch the eye in this Belgian themed bar.

Cellar

This City Road pub is renowned for its excellent selection of cask ales.

Regular beer Timothy Taylor Landlord is accompanied by five changing ales and three real ciders. An extensive range of keg and bottled beers from around the world are also available.

Three large TV screens feature regular sports, and food is available in the form of pizzas and meat and cheese platters.

The Cellar is dog friendly.

Cornerhouse

Also located on City Road is another fixture of this year’s Guide.

The candlelit mock-Tudor Cornerhouse offers the Salopian Oracle as its regular beer with three further changing ales and an extensive bottled beer selection.

The pub hosts live music from Thursday through to Saturday, with a quiz on Sunday.

Outside seating is available and the pub is dog friendly.

Food consists of small plates, pizzas and snacks.

Deva Tap

With regular beer Ossett White Rat and two changing regional beers, the Deva Tap is another popular venue.

Three distinct seating areas and outdoor seating in small courtyard offer a variety of options for groups, and the pub is dog friendly.

Food is described as “good value” with gourmet burgers and vegetarian options on offer.

Weekly quizzes are held on Wednesday and the pub also celebrates Oktoberfest each year.

Old Harkers Arms

On Russel Street, the upmarket Old Harkers Arms sits alongside the canal.

The pub offers Weetwood Cheshire Cat, Eastgate and its house beer, alongside six changing nationally sourced beers. Up to four ciders and perries are also served from the cellar.

Blackboards list real ales, with tasting notes.

Food is available all day, with booking advisable at weekends. Dog friendly.

Olde Cottage

Brook Street’s Olde Cottage also makes this year’s Guide.

Otter Bitter and Wye Valley HPA are regular fixtures with two changing beers sourced nationally.

A traditional community local, the pub features a games room with pool, darts and a bagatelle table and is a popular spot for both eating and drinking.

There is also a real fire for colder weather. Dog friendly.

Telford’s Warehouse

Last but not least is Telford’s Warehouse at Canal Basin, Tower Wharf.

This converted warehouse offers two regular beers in the form of Salopian Oracle and Weetwood Cheshire Cat as well as two changing beers.

A popular live music venue, the pub charges admission on some evening after 9pm.

Good quality food is also offered, with the upstairs restaurant available for hire.

This venue is also dog friendly.

 

For the full list of venues in Cheshire West, you can purchase the Good Beer Guide 2025 at: https://shop1.camra.org.uk/product/the-good-beer-guide-2025/.