It’s a silky smooth black and white northern stout and it trounced a certain Irish stout in recent blind tasting tests. Up the North. Guinness may have over 250 years of brewing history but Holt’s obviously has the brewing knowhow.
Trailblazer may be a relative newcomer to the Holt’s offering but given we’ve been brewing Manchester’s beers since the 1840s we’ve got plenty of history too and we certainly know how to make a satisfying pint.
And your drinking experience will be even more satisfying with our limited edition glassware. Holt’s history has been full of pioneers and trailblazers. Therefore, it seems only fitting that some of these venerable folks, including Joseph Holt himself and Sir Edward Holt I are memorialised on our new glasses.
It’s possible, with their gorgeous hand-drawn designs, that these might become some of the most pilfered pint glasses in the city. But we’re sure Confidential readers wouldn’t get involved in anything like that. Would you?
The Lower Turk’s Head, with its ornately-tiled exterior, is a former stop-off for stagecoaches and it’s still the perfect stop-off for a pint.
The inside is bigger than it looks with two bars downstairs, a cubbyhole bar upstairs as well as a heated outdoor terrace – a real asset.
The pub isn’t just a relic of a distant past – it was also part of Manchester’s Northern Soul scene and there are still monthly Sunday sessions.
Whether you’re interested in history old or modern or just enjoy taking in a moment of calm in the heart of the city with a pint of Trailblazer, The Lower Turk’s Head is the place to do it.
Despite its location just off the historic Shambles Square, The Crown & Anchor has a light and airy interior and a modern fit-out.
There are still cosy corners for a quiet drink though and the 18th Century facade makes for a rather grand place to pop for a pint of Trailblazer stout. The finest of drinks in the finest of hostelries, you could say.
The Crown & Anchor is also a good place for something to eat. Trailblazer goes perfectly with a steak. Pop in and see for yourself.
With its stone arches and air of Victorian respectability, it’s no surprise that The Ape & Apple used to be a bank.
Now it’s all about beers not cashiers. Order a pint of Trailblazer and let the world stand still for a moment.
And if you’re looking for inspiration, the alley to the side leads to Manchester’s hidden gem, St Mary’s Catholic Church. Well worth a wander so go and explore before you inevitably repair to the pub.
Let a pint or two of the award-winning silky smooth session drink slip down while you spend the afternoon watching the football. The Ape & Apple is a popular place to watch the match with Sky, BT and plenty of screens dotted around.
Despite its name, The Old Monkey is Holt’s only new-build pub in the city centre. It may be a relative newcomer to Manchester’s pub scene but it has a real community feel and plenty of established regulars who make the atmosphere come alive every evening.
Right in the heart of things, on the corner of Portland Street and Princess Street, The Old Monkey is perfect for a pint of Trailblazer on the way home from work or as a meeting place to get together for the first pint of your night.
