POPULAR CHESTER PUB CELEBRATES GOOD BEER GUIDE ACCOLADE

A Chester city centre pub is celebrating its inclusion in the 2027 edition of The Good Beer Guide.

The Albion Inn, popular with regulars and visitors alike and famed for its unique atmosphere, real ales and home-cooked food, has been included in the new edition of the "beer bible" published by The Campaign For Real Ale (CAMRA). 

The newly published guide includes detailed listings of more than 4,500 recommended pubs, highlighting the facilities available at each hostelry, together with a brewery section covering 1,700 breweries and some 5,000 beers. The Albion Inn has been recognised as one of only 14 pubs across Chester and Cheshire to be included in the publication. 

A much loved Chester institution, The Albion was run for almost 50 years by legendary Landlord Mike Mercer. Mike sadly passed away in 2021, just a few weeks short of celebrating half a century at the helm. Thanks to Mike's wife Christina, his daughter Clare Churchill and their team, the Albion continues to remain a unique gem in Chester’s pub scene complete with its WW1 memorabilia, William Morris wallpaper and traditional 3-room layout of bar, lounge and snug. 

Mike's dedication to keeping the pub just as he wanted it - a traditional pub where patrons can enjoy a well-kept pint and excellent food in a convivial, cozy, child-free atmosphere with no intrusive “music”, and no slot machines, remains at the heart of The Albion's ethos with Christina, Clare and the team ensuring that Mike's legacy remains intact. 

Regulars gathered at the pub recently for the official CAMRA presentation when Brian Vardy, Chairman of the West Cheshire Branch presented Christina Mercer with the pub's certificate and congratulated Mrs Mercer and her staff. 

Speaking about the accolade, Christina said:

"It is great that the Albion Inn has been recognised in this way and we appreciate it because, as our regulars know, we have been selling good quality real ale in this pub for many years. It was Mike’s long-held belief that good beer should be at the heart of every good pub. What really matters to the staff here and to me in particular is the opinion of our customers be it regulars, visitors or returning trade, whose compliments about the quality of the beer is reassuring and meaningful. My absolute and complete thanks go to Clare who not only keeps the food and the kitchen in fine fettle but always works her magic in the cellar with the beer".

The Albion Inn is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday between 12noon and 3pm with food served until 2pm and between 5pm and 11pm with food served until 8pm.

Pictured - (l-r) Clare Churchill, Brian Vardy, Chairman, West Cheshire Branch of CAMRA) and Christina Mercer, Landlady of the Albion Inn at the CAMRA Good Beer Guide Presentation.

Picture Credit: Zoe Shipton.