The following is an extract from my latest blog, which does go on a bit. I thought the bit of most interest to PuG I'd cut and paste here for you. Enjoy!


I mentioned before that I'd never been to the NWAF before, and in fact I've never been to Manchester before, so I was completely open to the idea of a small pub crawl ending in the Marbles for lunch before the 2.30pm kick off. First port of call was the Manchester & County (JDW). Pleasant enough, but the swarm of beer lovers straight of the train put a strain on the seemingly solo barman, who struggled to serve everyone on the bar and focused mainly on one section - an easy mistake to make. From a customers point of view, I've never waited so long to be served, but with good company, a busy pub and no particular rush it wasn't an issue for myself or our group.

After a couple in there we wandered on to The Millstone, a JW Lees pub. Just the one ale in here, and surprisingly a flatscreen TV playing chart song videos - surprising because the dozen or so customers didn't seem the type, most reading the papers or chatting quietly.

A swift half in here then another saunter to The Angel, which was my pub of the trip. Around half a dozen ales on and one cider on draught, ranging from a lovely Elephant IPA to a cask lager I can't quite recall. The 10.5% ale on offer, whilst the name eludes me, sticks in my mind as being £2.50, like all the other ales. Unlike all the other ales, this was for a half! A price I wouldn't mind paying, especially if it was in the same condition as the others I tried - every one spot on. I planned on calling in here on the way back from the Marbles to try it, not willing to go that strong on an empty (foodwise) stomach. The thing that made this pub for me though, was the young barman.

I'm a huge believer in the idea that the staff make the pub, and their knowledge reflects on you, the landlord. This guy offered us a free taster of every ale we ordered, topped up every glass without being asked (they do like their sparklers in Manchester), knew enough about each one (strength, colour, characteristics) to make suggestions (with the offer of a sample), was clean and smartly dressed, polite, and whilst making small talk asked which station we were heading back to later. Learning it was Picaddily, he recommended a good cask ale pub (we never quite made it, although not for lack of wanting). I couldn't fault him, really couldn't.

It was the small conversation with him just before leaving that struck me - he asked if they sold lager at the beer festival. As far as we knew there would be a few continental lagers, but we'd all made the same mistake. Given that he knew enough about the ales, we presumed he drank them. Not his cup of tea, but he did like trying knew drinks, preferably cold and fizzy.

As we left, we decided to give him the extra ticket we had - we were all very impressed, and I'll certainly make the effort if I'm in Manchester again to go back to that pub.

With a definite need for some pub grub, we continued up the street to The Marble Arch which was full, but not bursting (luckily for us). Huge range of beers, I think 8 on tap (7 theirs and 1 from Pheonix Brewery). We couldn't resist the urge to have a pint of Pint, and it certainly wasn't a bad choice! I picked up the menu from the table, to find it was a beer menu - with a staggering selection of bottled ales and fruit beers.

This is the pub where we bumped into the Otley boys, who match their knowledge of brewing with their knowledge of drinking! After a Marble Burger (recommended), a couple more pints and much merriment and mirth, we realised that if we didn't get to the festival soon we'd be on the train without making it! It just so happened that the Smithfield Hotel had a beer festival on, and it was (roughly) on the way to the bus station, so we called in for a swift on.

Lovely array of beers on handpump and a chalkboard with more on straight from the cask in the cellar. Lightweight was my choice, which I slightly regretted after tasting Castor's offering on the basis that Lightweight lived up to it's name - not a bad beer by any means, but certainly not the best of the day. After more mirth and merriment (much to the delight of the two barmaids, I wouldn't dare think what they thought Wales was like after that!)

We then finally made it to the bus stop, just in time to miss the first bus. Unaware of how long we might have to wait, a couple of the group decided to walk the mile up to the venue, and a minute after they left the next bus pulled up! More merriment and laughter (must mention the driver here, a great sport and joined in the banter directed at him when he stopped to let the other two on)