The Fountain, Macclesfield

Next door to Red Willow another shop conversion this time by Bollington Brewing Co, but as it’s the corner spot it’s bigger and an L shaped place. Furnished with uncomfortable bentwood chairs and stools at marble topped tables, there are some booth like seats to the left. The counter is halfway down on the left, not many clues about the beers on but there’s a hymn board style list of some kegs on the ten taps on the back wall, there are six pulls at the back with five of Bollington’s own beers but you need damn good eyesight to see what’s on, the sixth is Seacider. After a short conflab I picked a beer but it was rank, taking it back the barmaid was nonplussed and thought I just didn’t like the taste, fortunately the manager checked it and confirmed its rankness and said offer me something else. Another conflab and something else that was much better arrived with the words I hope you enjoy the taste of that better. It stretches a fair way along Sunderland Street, that end has some kind of coffee gizmo. Toilets in the basement and it doesn’t take cash.

The Fountain is a long dimly lit L-shaped bar with open plan seating to the left with some booths along the front windows and a bar to the right that faces a beer shelf further along the front windows. Further right is more seating. This is a Bollington Brewery pub so their Eastern Night, Long hop, White Nancy, Bollington Best and Oatmeal Stout were all available from hand pumps on the back bar. There was a sixth pump but my eyesight isn’t what is was so I couldn’t read the small text on the clip. I counted ten fonts, also on the back bar, that were drawing a mix of premium and craft keg. My visit was on a recent Monday evening so it was quiet apart from some low background music. The service was polite, but this felt more like a weekend bar so not really my cup of tea.

A huge barn of a place owned by Bollington brewery. Massive girly friendly windows and minimal heating meant that it was firkin freezing on Sunday evening. 4 of the 5 handpumps in action and my pint was in good nick and Ms CAMRA thought her red wine was good. Efficient and friendly staff were a bonus. When we passed by later having had something to eat at the nearby Ghurka restaurant they already had chairs on most of the tables. It was about 21:30, so not a good look. I know that it's cold in Winter and I'm guessing that it will be steaming in Summer. Not very impressed.

Facebook page of The Fountain - www.facebook.com

Facebook page of The Fountain - www.facebook.com

Official site of The Fountain - bollingtonbrewing.co.uk

Official site of The Fountain - bollingtonbrewing.co.uk