I ‘had’ to go to Manchester as part of my ‘real’ job with Carphone Warehouse, I was given a new Samsung S7 Edge and Gear S2 Watch so that was no hardship. As it’s my birthday today because I worked all of the Bank Holiday weekend I said I’d enjoy a mid week break in the North of England. My learned friend Wayne Dunne aka Mr Irish Beer Snob recommended a visit to Port Street Beer House so I started off there. It is a great pub with a nice line up of taps and well chosen bottles. I met my friends Dara and Tasha and enjoyed a pint of Magic Rock’s Simpleton, a very well made 3% Session IPA. It was the perfect thing for my parched palate.
Another friend, Lee, who knows Manchester, told me that the best burgers in the world were in Almost Famous. And it was only a short walk from the Port Street Beer House.
It was a serious burger topped with chorizo and crisps and the fries were seriously messy. As a wise chef once told me ‘…if you haven’t made a mess, you haven’t enjoyed your meal!’ I enjoyed my meal. The beer menu was short and sweet and mostly American. I had a pint of Brooklyn Lager with my burger.
While walking between Port Street and Almost Famous I spotted The Marble Bar at 57 Thomas Street. I had heard good things about Manchester brewery Marble, so this was my next stop.
I really liked Marble’s Built To Fall, a juicy American Pale Ale. But then I spied a few beers that were on my ‘must try’ list.
Now, this presented a huge challenge, three big beers and one very tired Simon. What to do? I recruited some of the very friendly staff and punters to help me through the beers.
Piney and delicious. This one really woke me up.
I found this one less bitter even though it was stronger, I’m guessing there’s more malt which gives it a more balanced feel. But I’m no expert. I was very glad I finally got to try this rare beast.
And lastly but certainly not leastly, Cloudwater’s DIPA V3. Having not had V1 or V2 I have nothing to compare it to but this was a beautiful grapefruitty hoppy delight. Fucking amazing. I mentioned the friendly punters, one of whom, Gaz, told me he was one of the (many) owners of Boundary Brewing, so now he has to come over and visit the brewery and I said while he was over he could pop down to Moate to see me! I am fairly sure we wrecked his friend Aggie’s head with our shite talk. I then hopped on my beer scooter and headed for the hills a very happy man. Sláinte!
http://www.portstreetbeerhouse.co.uk/