15th November 2011 - Manchester

Manchester today for a work related day long meeting held on the 24th floor of the City Tower (with some impressive views of the city and beyond from the atrium stuck on the side of the building at least for those of us brave enough to venture out.)

Being close to Piccadilly I took in the chance of visiting a couple of the watering holes.  Firstly the Port Street Beer House provides a wide ranging selection of beers (cask, draft and bottled) covering a broad spectrum of prices.  Tucked away amongst the warren of streets in the area I guess this is the sort of place you would either stumble upon or will have previously learned about as I had via a Google search.  You only really know you're there via the logos above the windows.

As i was driving later that day I only had a half and went for their American guest on draft - Victory Hop Devil.  

"That'll be £3.50 a half?" checked the bar man - I'm only going to be here rarely I thought so what the heck?  Actually good value as it lasted me a good while and the web site's description of "Menacingly delicious, with the powerful, aromatic punch of whole flower American hops backed up by rich, German malts. HopDevil Ale offers a roller coaster ride of flavor, coasting to a smooth finish that satisfies fully." was spot on.  Combined with reviewing their beer menu (which ran to several pages) this was a joy to behold.

Next over to the Manchester and County, a Wetherspoons by Piccadilly gardens.  Easy to find but you wouldn't know the name from outside (I only noted it from a receipt someone had left on the bar.)  Seemed quite a compact JDW.  A good selection of beers available and I went for Hawkshead Brodies Prime described as a premium beer at 4.9% hopped with Fuggles, Bramling Cross, and Cascade hops.  Another good choice.  The lights on the trees in Piccadilly Gardens added to the charm.


After that it was back to the cafe by Piccadilly station for an all day breakfast and thence homeward.  There are several other pubs in the area that more time would have enticed me to visit, still save them for next time.