The Pavilion, Ashworth Lane, Bank Top, Bolton. BL1 8RA Tel: 01204 595800 www.banktopbrewery.com Putt<strong>in</strong>g it Mildly We’re over the moon ! 24
These mobile phones are great aren’t they? Without them, one Saturday we would not have known where to meet up with the others when we caught a later tra<strong>in</strong> from <strong>Wigan</strong> to Liverpool Lime Street. No surprise that the response was “We are <strong>in</strong> the Fly <strong>in</strong> the Loaf on Hardman Street, get over here quick”. The was the start<strong>in</strong>g po<strong>in</strong>t of our visit to Liverpool tak<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> 9 pubs <strong>in</strong> 6 hours, a pleasant circuit, work<strong>in</strong>g our way down the hill back towards the station ready for the last dash for the tra<strong>in</strong>, visit<strong>in</strong>g some classic pubs with great beer. Of course, by the time we got to the Fly <strong>in</strong> the Loaf everyone was ready to move on so, with apologies to the pleasant bar staff, who came to take our order of dr<strong>in</strong>ks, we didn’t l<strong>in</strong>ger. Up the hill <strong>in</strong>to the Philharmonic, with its entrance on Hope Street. Its impossible not to be impressed with the décor and ambience of the Phil and is worth a visit. The beer was good as well with a choice of 6! Aga<strong>in</strong> there were 2 helpful members of staff beh<strong>in</strong>d the bar who knew their beers, always a good sign. From there we turned right and walked along Hope Street, past the Philharmonic Hall, and turned right <strong>in</strong>to Rice Street to call <strong>in</strong> at Ye Cracke. This old pub looks like it’s <strong>in</strong> the wrong place. In a side street, newish houses opposite but, once <strong>in</strong>side, it’s a busy place, lots of orig<strong>in</strong>al features, a neat beer garden at the back, and aga<strong>in</strong> good beer. Beer is served <strong>in</strong> plastic glasses for customers go<strong>in</strong>g out to the beer garden but this seemed a hit-and-miss system with people walk<strong>in</strong>g outside with glassware and the bar staff clearly th<strong>in</strong>k<strong>in</strong>g we should have gone outside as we got plastic glasses at first. On emerg<strong>in</strong>g, we realised we had not visited the Belvedere. So it was back to Hope Street, cross the road <strong>in</strong>to Falkner Street (past the bistro on the left) and the gorgeous Georgian build<strong>in</strong>gs to Sugnall Street. There is a surprise immediately; it’s a cul de sac with the Belvedere be<strong>in</strong>g the only occupant. Because of the location they have tables and benches outside, which is a good job – it’s a very small pub but with good beer. Liverpool walk 25 Next on the list was the Pilgrim, so we retraced our steps past Ye Cracke, and called <strong>in</strong>to the Pilgrim. Busy as ever with students, we raised the average age of the customers by about 20 years. Undeterred, we found some seats outside rather than <strong>in</strong> the pub (which is actually <strong>in</strong> the cellar). Our next pub was the only pub to let us down all day. Leav<strong>in</strong>g the Pilgrim it was turn right, turn right, turn right and we walked <strong>in</strong>to the Grapes on Roscoe Street. Unfortunately, we were met with a row of empty hand pumps so with a (hopefully) friendly “thank you” we walked out aga<strong>in</strong>. To get over our disappo<strong>in</strong>tment we turned left, walked back toward the ma<strong>in</strong> road, crossed Leece Street <strong>in</strong>to the other end of Roscoe Street and found ourselves <strong>in</strong> the Roscoe Head which has justly won numerous awards from CAMRA and other organisations. Gorgeous beer, knowledgeable bar staff, good atmosphere what more could you ask for! Back onto Leece Street, to the bottom of the hill and the Dispensary <strong>in</strong> Renshaw Street was to be our last pub before gett<strong>in</strong>g the return tra<strong>in</strong> to <strong>Wigan</strong>. One day I will understand why it’s called the Dispensary. Have the grapes <strong>in</strong> the tiles on the floor and on the wall beh<strong>in</strong>d the bar anyth<strong>in</strong>g to do with it ? It all felt a bit unsure of itself but one th<strong>in</strong>g was certa<strong>in</strong>, the beer was great. F<strong>in</strong>ally, we headed off along Renshaw Street to the station – oh but what’s this we spot - a new bar serv<strong>in</strong>g real ale. Time for a quick half <strong>in</strong> The Inn Liverpool Beer Emporium – served <strong>in</strong> the classic barrel glasses. A very different venue to all our other locations that afternoon, we wish them luck with their new venture. On the tra<strong>in</strong> back we agreed that every beer we had was good, some were very good, and some were excellent. We had Cornish beer, Yorkshire beer, Lancashire beer, local beer, light beer, dark beer, all sorts. We tried to sample the range of beers <strong>in</strong> each pub and between the 6 of us, we enjoyed every one - not a bad p<strong>in</strong>t (or half) all afternoon is a great testimony to the pubs of Liverpool. Why not try out our route – a walk<strong>in</strong>g distance of less than 2 miles. It’s well worth it.
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