MANCHESTER is awash with beer. Not only does our city boast some of the UK’s most innovative and spunky young brewers, but it also boasts many of the nation’s most notable beer gatherings, alongside some of its finest brew taps and boozers.
This evening began, as most craft beer events do, with a handful of beardy blokes plucked straight from central casting for the next Pirates of the Caribbean flick
Relatively new to the city’s exploding beer scene is No.1 Watson Street, taking up the space formerly occupied by pour-your-own-beer gaff Taps, which called it a day last year on Great Northern Square after struggling to compete with the crafty new wave of hop heads and the increasingly sophisticated tastes of its punters.
Nay matter, because No.1 Watson Street, with its hefty craft beer board, ‘craft’ pizzas (of course they are) and minimalist Ikea-chic aesthetic, has swiftly tapped into the mood for pretty much anything prefixed by ‘craft’, ‘artisan’ or distilled in nana’s old avocado bidet.
No.1 Watson StreetAs part of their commitment to showcase the best of the UK’s craft beer scene, both locally and nationally, No.1 Watson Street has teamed up with a number of top brewers, from those in Manchester and Salford to the likes of Thornbridge, RedWillow and Lefthand, to co-host a series of monthly tasting evenings (£15, typically) pairing the brewery’s most popular and quirky beers with various ‘artisanal dishes’ (there it is) from the No.1 Watson Street kitchen... such is beer's new role at the dinner table.
This time around it was the turn of local microbrewery Blackjack. Founded in 2012 by former Marble man Rob Hamilton, Blackjack began when Hamilton acquired his former employer's old brewing kit, took up a space on Gould Street and started delivering small batches in his knackered old Mondeo. Now Blackjack, with its expanding range of pales, bitters and stouts, alongside it's popular brew tap and recently acquired, heaving old school NQ boozer, The Smithfield, is fast becoming one of the most successful and prolific microbrewers amongst the city's fecund beer scene.
BlackjackersThis evening began, as most craft beer events do, with a handful of beardy blokes plucked straight from central casting for the next Pirates of the Caribbean flick. Rich, an irrigation hobbyist, was our Blackjack buff and happily flicked between tables discussing the ‘intricacies of yeast’s role in flavour’ with the hoppy hardcore, whilst also humouring questions from the less initiated (us), such as:
- What makes craft beer so crafty? Answer: “‘craft’ is almost impossible to define”
- How many varieties of hops are there? Answer: “Dozens, with many more under development”
- Is a beard a prerequisite for a good brewer? Answer: “No, but it adds gravitas”
Anyway, on to the beers...
Dead Man's Hand joined by some nibletsTHE BEERS
DEAD MAN’S HAND (4.1%)
Food: A medley of home-made crackling, apple popcorn and, oddly, a diddy pot of trailmix (presumably in case the beer turns the walk home into an eight mile trek)
We'd begin, as you'd expect, with the lighter beers, moving towards the dark side as the evening progressed. First up was Blackjack's Dead Man's Hand, a light, crisp and drinkable session pale with mellow citrus tones and, according to the buffs, ‘a light sea spray saltiness’. Tasty and hugely drinkable, everything you need from a great session beer with bar snacks.
Red Rye SaisonRED RYE SAISON (7%)
Food: A creamy mussel risotto
Tart and spicy with a surprisingly bitter finish, the maltiness of this reddish saison – aged in red wine barrels - cut perfectly through the creaminess of the risotto.
Mussel risottoBELGIAN RED (6.8%)
Food: Pork medallion with black pudding and sautéed potatoes
A Belgian-style deep amber IPA with a sweet caramelized, malty base and a bitter, hoppy finish. A well-balanced beer which worked well with the mildness of the pork and the robust earthy flavours of the black pudding. The crowd favourite.
Pork medallion with black pudding and sautéed potatoesACE OF SPADES (10%)
Food: Black forest trifle
A big roasty, evil-looking Imperial Russian stout as black as the... well, you know. Dangerously easy-going, considering its strength, the dark roastiness worked well the lovely flavours of the chocolate, cherries and cream.
Ace of SpadesNo.1 Watson Street are currently lining-up their next series of brewery love-ins, including another evening with Blackjack and a potential visit from cutting-edge Newcastle craft brewers, Wylam. You should go, take a pal, ask questions, learn something new, bond with your brewer... they're a friendly lot, you know, despite those dastardly facades.
No.1 Watson Street, Great Northern Square M3 4EE. Book yourself onto the next beer tasting event here
Powered by 
