Franconian Beer Message Board

OT: Visit to Manchester 2

Posted by barry on 2013-08-24 01:43:20

Terrible compromise - see more or drink more? Decided on former, so sticking to halfs. Thursday was the big expedition day. Didn't start too well as Jolly Angler (pub I've never been in) was shut at lunchtime, doesn't open 'til 5 p.m. So, walked on to Crown & Anchor in Hilton St. This was the first of 2 pubs in which I ran folk clubs in the 1960s. Then it was beautiful pub with several different rooms, later it was 'navyfied' with plastic anchors and ropes. The latest version is much better but still lacks the charactor of the original. Tried Timmy Taylor's Landlord, which was ok but not as good as I remembered. On then to 2nd 'folk club pub', one of Nick's favourites, the Castle on Oldham Street. Still keeps much of its old atmosphere and with the full range of Robinson's beers. For J's and old time's sake, tried the Unicorn bitter, which was pretty decent. Then set off for a walk into the unknown - well, not really, but trips up Rochdale Road used to be for much more mundane reasons. Found the Marble Arch - wow, what a super pub and quite popular for a Thursday afternoon, showing that there is a big market for good cask beer. Tried 3 bitters in ascending order of strength - Pint, Manchester and award-winning Dobber. We both liked Pint best, what I would now call a 'Nick' beer - light (3.7) and hoppy (cascades) but still tasty. Really shows what can be done with a light bitter. The Manchester was ok (J. didn't like it at all) and the Dobber better but wouldn't have won too many awards from me because it wasn't really that distinctive. All in all, really enjoyed first trip to Marble land - fair play to them! Then a longish walk to the pub that I think is consistently the best in the city centre - The City Arms. Good crowd in the late afternoon. Tried Pendle bitter whose name I can't remember but which was excellent, Tatton Blonde, also very good and one other which I think of for the moment but will remember later. More later.

OT: Visit to Manchester 2 by Nick B. on 2013-08-25 03:55:36