CAMRA · Campaign for Real Ale

About the South Cheshire Branch

Who we are

The South Cheshire Branch of the Campaign for Real Ale covers the towns and villages of Crewe, Sandbach, Alsager, Nantwich, Middlewich, Winsford and the surrounding area. We are a group of dedicated volunteers united by a shared passion for real ale, real cider, perry and the great British pub.

Campaigning

For pubs and breweries across the area, protecting the ones under threat. See our current campaigns.

Social events

Socials and pub visits for members, all year round. See the branch diary for upcoming dates.

Good Beer Guide

We contribute to the annual Good Beer Guide selections.

CRAF

We run the Crewe Rail Ale Festival every year.

Everything we do is driven by enthusiasm for good beer and the places that bring people together.

Our history

The South Cheshire Branch has its roots in the early years of CAMRA.

Part of the Potteries Branch

When CAMRA began expanding in the 1970s, our area was originally part of the much larger Potteries Branch.

An identity of our own

As membership grew and more local pubs and breweries began engaging with CAMRA’s work, it became clear South Cheshire had its own identity, its own challenges, and a thriving beer scene that deserved dedicated representation.

Local campaigning takes hold

Members in the Crewe and Nantwich area began taking on more local campaigning, pub surveying and events, eventually leading to the formation of the South Cheshire Branch as its own distinct group.

Still growing

Our membership is wonderfully diverse, bringing together people of all ages, backgrounds and interests who share a love of good beer and great pubs. Volunteers have played a huge part in shaping the branch: organising events, supporting local festivals, campaigning for pubs under threat, and celebrating the breweries that make our area such a brilliant place for real ale.

Our catchment

The South Cheshire Branch covers a broad and varied patch across the southern half of the county: the towns of Crewe, Nantwich, Sandbach, Alsager, Middlewich and Winsford, along with a wide mix of rural communities, village pubs and hidden gems dotted throughout the countryside.

Postcode districts we cover (at least in part)

CW1, CW2, CW3, CW5, CW6, CW7, CW10, CW11, ST7, SY13 and SY14, plus all of the beautiful Cheshire countryside in between.

We are one of nine branches within CAMRA’s Merseyside and Cheshire region, and share a border with six neighbouring branches: West Cheshire, North Cheshire, Macclesfield & East Cheshire, Staffordshire Moorlands, Potteries, and Telford & East Shropshire. We work closely with them on regional initiatives, campaigning issues and events. The map below also shows a few branches a little further afield, for context. Explore the map to visit any of their websites.