Rob Cocker, a 73-year-old beer lover, has recently achieved a remarkable milestone by visiting his 12,000th pub in Warrington. This epic pub crawl journey began over five decades ago in 1969 when Rob, tired of his local pub in Stoke-on-Trent, decided to explore other drinking establishments across the UK.
Since then, Rob has traveled far and wide, sampling ales in tens of thousands of pubs from Scotland to Land’s End. He has crossed off 14 pubs in a single trip and has proudly sipped beer in every city in England, as well as every pub within a 20-mile radius of his home.
Rob’s dedication to his pub crawl is evident in his meticulous note-taking and diary-keeping. He has visited 1,400 alehouses in London and 471 Wetherspoon’s pubs nationwide. His commitment to exploring new pubs is supported by his wife, Lynn, who often joins him on his ale-drinking adventures.
Despite reaching this impressive milestone, Rob’s pub crawl journey is far from over. He continues to follow the CAMRA Guide religiously, visiting as many pubs as he can along the way. While he acknowledges that it may be impossible to visit every pub in Britain, he remains enthusiastic about discovering new and unique drinking establishments.
Rob’s passion for traditional-style local pubs is unwavering, and he prefers real ale over lager. His travels have taken him to 84 countries, including Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Jersey, and the Isle of Man. He appreciates the historical significance and unique charm of each pub he visits, whether it’s a traditional local or a modern microbrewery.
As Rob reflects on his pub crawl journey, he emphasizes the joy of exploring new places and meeting fellow beer enthusiasts along the way. His dedication to the craft of beer tasting and pub exploration serves as an inspiration to beer lovers everywhere, reminding us of the rich cultural heritage and community spirit found in our local pubs. Cheers to Rob Cocker and his remarkable achievement of visiting 12,000 pubs – here’s to many more pints and unforgettable experiences in the world of beer!