The festivities are behind us. All is quiet.
We don’t think so!
If you are one of the thousands in the UK to suffer the winter blues and need to keep the party going in order to survive, here are some ideas on where to go and what to try that will put that smile back on your face.
LONDON
The Porterhouse, Covent Garden, WC2
American Beer Festival 19th – 27th January.
The iconic labyrinth that is the Porterhouse pub on Maiden Lane is running a range of US craft beers on draft and in bottles and cans during their beer festival.
Flavoured stouts such as Saugatuck’s Neapolitan Milk Stout will be making an appearance on draft, alongside Tailgate’s Peanut Butter Milk Stout in cans. If flavoured beer excites you, you can also try out Tailgate’s very refreshing Watermelon Wheat.
Also on draft will be Fordham’s Copperhead Amber Ale with its delicious caramelised malts and on draft and bottle is Saugatuck’s perfectly hopped Backyard IPA.
Craft Tooting, Tooting High Street, SW17
Billed as Tooting’s finest craft beer shop and bar, these guys know about craft beer. This month you can find the refreshing Fordham Gypsy Lager for sale. One of Heathwick’s bestselling lines for good reason. Best to stock up now.
Yard Sale Pizza, Lower Clapton Road, Hackney E5
Known as the pizza place where Macaulay Culkin’s band played, after the ‘Home Alone’ star’s troupe tried out some of their pizza-themed Velvet Underground numbers here. It is also known for serving some of the best fresh stonebaked sourdough pizzas in London.
With only 2 tables, most people will buy their pizzas takeaway. Which ever way you go, make sure you ask for a can of Tailgate Peanut Butter Milk stout to wash it down with.
Cafe in the Crypt, St Martins in the Field, WC2
See yourself sipping a pint of Wingtip Frequent Flyer lager, whilst tapping along to some great jazz?
Then you’ll be pleased to hear they have Jazz nights are on every Wednesday during January and February.
Parcel Yard, Kings Cross Station, N1
Located in the busy station, this buzzing pub is a haven and well worth a visit, even if you are not passing through. Set in a Grade I listed building, this beautiful pub spans two floors and showcases original features throughout. One of its most famous features is the central atrium, surrounded by listed glass and topped with a glass ceiling three floors high.
Now stocking Saugatuck’s American craft Backyard IPA, you can enjoy great beer and good food from the restaurant.
BATH
The Boater, Argyle St, BA2
One of our favourite pubs and restaurants in Bath is serving Fordham Route 1 IPA on draft in January and February. Check out the clean American hops for a bright winter.
READING
Castle Tap Freehouse
It's hard to beat a traditional British pub that just happens to be a 'freehouse' and well run. The Castle tap is no exception. The authentic interior combines with a charming beer list that just got even better - they are now stocking Tailgate Peanut Butter Milk Stout!
MANCHESTER
Elk Bars, Chorlton and Hale
The Elk is the creation of the team behind The Little Deli Company and brings together the same great stacked deli sandwiches and evolving menus, alongside a fantastic selection of craft ales and fine wines. Winter 2017 will see them feature the new and innovative Peanut Butter Milk Stout and Watermelon Wheat Beer from the US craft brewery, Tailgate
Dockyard Media City, Salford &
Gasworks Brewhouse and Bar, central Manchester
Drawing closer to Manchester, you’ll find Tailgate’s Peanut Butter Milk Stout in the Dockyard Media City in Salford and Gasworks Brewhouse and Bar in central Manchester. Both venues are inspiring in their own unique way whilst sharing an enviable reputation for serving a great selection of beers.
Mish Mash Bar & Brasserie, Chorlton
For those of you who are staunch IPA lovers, Chorlton’s Mish Mash, is now stocking Saugatuck’s Back Yard IPA. The perfect beer to combine with their fresh, funky and interesting menu. Inside, the restaurant features murals by up-and-coming local talent and exceptional canvases from established artists creating an interesting mish mash atmosphere.
THE NORTH
Bottled Note, Borough Road, Middlesborough
This new bar (opened just before Christmas) may be small but has big ambitions. Billed as being traditional in style but with a modern twist, their beer list is certainly setting them apart from other venues. A good range of craft and world beers on offer including US craft Fordham Copperhead Amber Ale. Nothing like a spoonful of American hops with warming caramalised malts to bring a smile a new customer’s face.
Head of Steam, Hull (City of Culture!)
Anybody that knows and loves their beer, and lives in Hull, will already be well aware of this venue. If it’s out there, these guys will get it and finding Saugatuck’s Neapolitan Milk Stout on draft is a real coup. Get it while you can.