Northern Rail had their first sale of the year, and I thought it rude not to travel to Manchester for the princely sum of £3 return.
After two small delays, one at Sheffield Station, the other at Edale due to point issues. I arrived at Manchester Piccadilly around 15 minutes late.
Turning right, I strolled along the main road finally finding a small record shop for a browse and chat. He pointed me round the corner to the Northern Monk Refectory, tucked on the backstreet of Tariff Street. A good range of beers in a dark, wooden interior. There was mainly 5% plus beers on offer, but with it being the first of the day, I went for a pint of Verdant People, Money, Space, Time, a sessional New England hazy 3.4% pale.
I then went off for a stroll, taking photos of people and buildings including the Cathedral. Just round the corner sits the Old Wellington, a Tudor style pub with timber beams and three floors. Again, a decent range of beers where I went for a Dark Star Hophead 3.8% Blonde/Golden. Next stop was Wetherspoons Seven Stars in the Printworks. Reasonably priced, but unusually not a lot of choice. Out of the three “proper ales” on offer, Peerless’s Triple Blond was the best option at 4%.
Having had a little Google search, I set out to find the Port Street Beer House, rated highly it sits on a small backstreet, and definitely needs Google Maps to find. An eclectic choice, both on cask and keg, I sampled Mallisons Nippy 4.1% Pale and Dark North Oatmeal Stout 5.5%. People were easy to talk to and a chap from the Wirral recommended a Whip It Real Good imperial stout from Black Iris. Tasting like a Walnut Whip, but unlike the chocolate it weighed in at 12% and cost £6 for a half.
I still had a couple of hours, so I strolled back to be near Piccadilly, landing at the Crown & Kettle and a Brew York Tonkoko, a 4.3% milk stout. The pub itself was a high ceilinged, gothic windowed style pub.
Next was a pub I had visited before, the Castle Hotel and resembled the White Lion in Sheffield with small, ornate rooms. Again, great choice with a Titanic Cherry Porter, 4.9% and a Robinsons Dizzy Blonde, 3.8% accompanied with great conversation about music with three older guys.
Finally before the train home, I popped in the Piccadilly Tavern where out of the various pumps I had a half of Thwaites Gold, a 4.1% blonde/golden.
Fortunately, the train was on time and the journey swiftly passed with conversation with a chap whose daughter lived in Walkley and had sampled the Walkley Beer Co and the Raven. A great day, good value and cracking beers. Roll on Barnsley next month, and Northern Rail’s next sale.