Fruity And Most Subtle

[lupestripe]

A quick conversation on IRC yesterday resulted in Wolfie and I teaming up with Baloki and Miles in the heart of Manchester. Whilst furmeets centre on the disappointing Canal Street, we wanted to sample the bohemian Northern Quarter. It didn't disappoint.

What I like about the area is the juxtaposition between tired industrial buildings and trendy cafes and bars. The second bar we visited looked out over a dilapidated brick industrial unit with broken windows. The bar staff here were very friendly and we were soon sampling the vast range if Trappist ales and Kolsches they had. I went for Sion, a nice clean brew.

We also sampled their cheeseboard and meatboard, with olives, bread and balsamic vinegar. There is no finer food in my opinion. We chose meats and cheeses from across Europe off a blackboard. The cheese rolled in hops was a particular favourite whilst the Polish sausage was particularly delightful.

The first bar we went to was adjacent to tv21. It was a whisky and vodka bar, which also dealt in cocktails. Here I tried Stella Artois Black - stored for longer, it was a smooth golden beer which was considerably better than it's mass produced sister. It's amazing what market demand can ruin and what greater care can achieve.

The third bar was our favourite as they dealt in Brew Puppy. We sampled their 11.5% AB:06 whilst they also served the 32% strength Tactical Nuclear Penguin. £45 a bottle was a little steep but £8 a shot was a nice tonic. It tasted like whisky but in beer form. I preferred the sweet fruity AB:06 but then I do believe beers of 8-11% are the best. The bar staff here were great too, letting us keep the bottle of Penguin as our shot finished it. They also gave us some Brew Puppy beermats.

Convivial and excellent conversation ensued with Miles and Bakoki as we toured more of the Northern Quarter. Sex shop Rob was sadly closing when we got there but at least we locked up for them. There was lots of graffiti - in an artistic rather than hooligan sense - and we soaked up the relaxed atmosphere.

Before we got our train, we headed to St Petersburg, a Russian restaurant, where I ordered pierogi floating in butter. This is one of my favourite Eastern European dishes as the sour tomato sauce and sour cream compliments it wonderfully. The staff thought we were Russian as we walked in, demonstrating it's popularity with the local Rusdian community. Always the sign of a good restaurant.

The train back was a symbol of all that is good and all that is bad about the British. At Todmorden, around 50 drunk teenagers got on the train and started smoking. Some started flicking Wolfie and there was a confrontation. I could have happily lamped one guy for his homophobic, racist chanting and for generally being a knob. Thankfully they all got off at Halifax.

At the same station, three gents got on and expressed their relief that they didn't have to deal with the hooligans. We got talking and it turned out they were on a station by station pub crawl and gad a penchant for continental lagers too. They were great guys and I learnt a lot from them. A definite faith installer indeed.

We got back home around 10.45pm so decided to go to our local for one. They have removed the Tetley's here as it is no longer being brewed in Leeds. Due to the different water, the Wolverhampton brew tastes foul and the local pride here has ensured Tetley's is no longer popular. They have brought a fantastic ale in from the local Copper Dragon brewery. We got talking to the landlady, who came over to sit with us (and steal our crisps). She had sussed that Wolfie and I were gay and talked about her own son, who is gay too. It's a fantastic local pub with a pub dog too, largely because it is run by great people. Plus they will be getting more guest ales in too - hooray! And I was relieved to hear the opening of the new Wetherspoons hasn't hurt them too badly, although the stories I have heard of the turmoil in the pub industry does make me fear for the future of good pubs.

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Comments

[jessie-pup.livejournal.com]

I love the northern quarter! Loads of great pubs, good beer and there's a fun tiki bar hidden around there that I visited after MCM Manchester the other week.

[lupestripe.livejournal.com]

It's my favourite part of Manchester too but I didn't realise how great it was until I visited the other day. I hope to visit again very soon :)

[stuart-otterson.livejournal.com]

I bang on about the Northern Quarter all the time lol.

Actually there were 2 occasions where I lumped the Manchester mini-meets into private function rooms of Northern Quarter bars, sadly it wasn't something we could ever do continuously due to the space not quite being enough. We can fit in them, but not as spacious as one would like. :/

[lupestripe.livejournal.com]

The Northern Quarter is fantastic - I shall be visiting its ceramic dildos far more often XD

[skawinski.livejournal.com]

I've never been to Manchester before, and I hear that it's a fun place! Glad you had a splendid time over there, though I'm not entirely sure why did they take you all as Russians in St. Petersburg restarant :P

Pity that the journey back was interrupted by chavs. They could have at least kept their retarded remarks to themselves.

[lupestripe.livejournal.com]

You should go to Manchester, it is a rather brilliant city. I don't understand the Russian thing either - I don't look like a meerkat at all.