The White Bear, Middlewich

The White Bear Hotel is the town's entrant into the Good Beer Guide. Situated on a main shopping street in the centre, I'd imagine it can get quite popular at times and there is plenty of drinking and dining space to cater for large numbers of customers. No expense has been spared on the interior. There are different drinking areas separated by pillars. The decor is clearly modern, but contains various bits and pieces such as old window and door shutters that are designed to give a rustic feel. A few different white bears are dotted around and there are bare boards on the floor. The bar is in front of you as you enter and is fronted by bark (or at least imitation bark). I was hoping to find a real cider here, but the young barmaid looked a bit quizzical at me when I asked and offered me Orchard Thieves, which I politely declined. She seemed fairly friendly, but lacked any kind of knowledge of what she was serving. As such, I turned to the cask ales. The choice was RedWillow Heartless, Hafod Loggerheads Bitter, Lancaster Bullion Dry Pale Ale & Dunham Massey Summer Meadow. Craft beers were SALT Serge, Beartown Inception & Beavertown Neck Oil. To the rearm there is another small room with an outdoor patio beyond that. Music was playing intermittently and wifi was available using a code to the side of the bar. Dogs are welcome. Whilst Sunday roasts are advertised, I couldn't see anybody eating. I thought this was an above average pub that warrants its position in the Good Beer Guide. My Heartless was certainly in good condition and enjoyable. A real cider would have been nice though.