The Black Friar has launched a season-long celebration of the bitter and unveiled its biggest transformation to date
Salford institution and oldest remaining Boddingtons pub in the world, The Black Friar, has announced it will be hosting ‘The Summer of Boddies’; a season-long celebration marking the return of Boddingtons Cask to the pub. Guests can expect to see a spectacular floral installation while enjoying infused menu specials.
The announcement follows Manchester’s oldest brewery, JW Lees’ triumphant relaunch of Boddingtons Cask Ale late last year after a 13-year hiatus from being brewed in the city. The brand has since returned to the heart of many pubs and bars across the North-West and beyond.
Founded in 1828 in Middleton by John Lees, JW Lees is deeply rooted in Manchester’s history and remains proudly family-run 7 generations later. Nearly 200 years on, the brewery has witnessed the city’s transformation from the Industrial Revolution to the vibrant cultural and musical hub it is today.
The Black Friar became one of the first pubs to serve the relaunched cask beer, a perfect partnership for a longstanding shared history, with The Black Friar being the closest pub located to the original Boddingtons brewing site.
Cheshire-based floral artist Kelly Louise Chapman has transformed The Black Friar with its own Summer of Boddie’s makeover, going bigger, bolder, and bloomier than ever before. Handcrafted sunflowers fill the pub from the exterior right through the venue, with a yellow and black theme to celebrate Boddingtons’ and Manchester’s worker bee. The centrepiece of the installation is a ten-foot sunflower, a vivid opening statement for The Summer of Boddies.
Bookings are now open to try the Boddington’s-inspired menu, developed by The Black Friar’s head chef Ben Chaplin. Celebrating the Cask’s return to the pub, the menu showcases seasonal flavours and exciting new dishes, including: sweet Boddington’s glazed short rib with pickled mooli and chilli salad, corned beef and Northumberland cheese toastie with Boddington pickle, 8oz aged British beef burger with Boddington’s rare bit and an orange and rosemary Boddington’s polenta cake, served with crème fraiche.
Alongside the food, a selection of Boddington’s infused cocktails will feature on the menu:
● D’ya Wanna Flake In That Love? - Boddington’s, Lemon Juice, Apple Juice, Honey, Salted Caramel Foam
● By ‘Eck It’s Gorgeous - Peach Schnapps, Boddington’s, Lemon Juice, Apple Juice, Agave
● Fancy a Top-Up Love? - Boddington’s, Earl Grey, Simple Syrup
The Black Friar will also be launching an exclusive six-course tasting menu, 'The Cream of Manchester', at £59 per person - full details will be available soon.
Neil, Owner at The Black Friar, said: “The Black Friar and Boddingtons go back further than most people realise. This pub was built for Boddingtons’ workers, so when the cask came back, there was only one place it truly belonged. The Summer of Boddies is our way of celebrating that in proper Black Friar style, from Boddingtons specials in the kitchen, to Kelly's installation outside.”
William Lees-Jones, Managing Director at JW Lees said: “We are incredibly proud to have brought Boddingtons back to its rightful Manchester home, especially as we are now able to stock the cask ale in local favourite pubs such as the Black Friar. “The Summer of Boddies has been created to celebrate the city's brilliant brewing history, a history in which Boddingtons and the Black Friar are each intertwined. Now customers can experience a little piece of this historic relationship this summer.”
Get the latest news to your inbox
Get the latest food & drink news and exclusive offers by email by signing up to our mailing list. This is one of the ways that Confidentials remains free to our readers and by signing up you help support our high quality, impartial and knowledgable writers. Thank you!
Join our WhatsApp group
You can also get regular updates on news, exclusives and offers by joining the Manchester Confidential WhatsApp group.
