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.

We campaign for pubs and breweries across the area, organise social events and pub visits for members, contribute to the annual Good Beer Guide selections, and run the Crewe Rail Ale Festival (CRAF). Everything we do is driven by enthusiasm for good beer and the places that bring people together.

The South Cheshire Branch has its roots in the early years of CAMRA. When the organisation began expanding in the 1970s, our area was originally part of the much larger Potteries Branch. As membership grew and more local pubs and breweries began engaging with CAMRA’s work, it became clear that South Cheshire had its own identity, its own challenges, and a thriving beer scene that deserved dedicated representation.

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

Since then, the branch has continued to grow. 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, from organising events and supporting local festivals to campaigning for pubs under threat and celebrating the breweries that make our area such a brilliant place for real ale.

The South Cheshire Branch covers a broad and varied patch across the southern half of the county. Our area includes 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.

If you wanted to get postal, we champion real ale and protect pubs across CW1, CW2, CW3, CW5, CW6, CW7, CW10, CW11, ST7, SY13, SY14 and all of the beautiful Cheshire countryside in between.

We are one of nine branches within CAMRA’s Merseyside and Cheshire region, working alongside neighbouring branches the Potteries, Shrewsbury & East Shropshire and Telford & East Shropshire. We work closely with our neighbours on regional initiatives, campaigning issues and events.