Yes, it’s finally here. That time of year. We’ve somehow survived the trials, tribulations and general madness of 2017, and are now looking forward to a month of enjoying time with family, friends and colleagues. Of being able to treat ourselves to great food and quality beverages. So if you’re stuck for ideas on where to go and what to have, do take a look at our December blog which features unique establishments in Manchester, Cheadle, York, Reading and all along the south coast.
Blue Pig, Northern Quarter, Manchester
69 High St, Manchester M4 1FS
www.thebluepigmcr.co.uk
The Blue Pig in Manchester’s trendy Northern Quarter is a hip bohemian French-style bistro and bar. With cocktails, deli snacks and an innovative seasonal menu on offer it’s definitely worth a visit when in the city. Don’t be put off by the giant blue pig on the ceiling; we’re assured it’s not real!
The Blue Pig specialises in an excellent range of gins and cocktails, served in a modern traditional fashion. The bar also stocks a great selection of craft beers. Food-wise they offer a great selection of pub classics with intriguingly unique twists, and their Sunday roasts regularly appear in local Best of… lists.
As we know, no bar would be complete without some of Heathwick’s finest produce. Burleigh’s London Dry Gin, a smooth and complex drink, is infused with 11 of the world’s finest botanicals including silver birch, dandelion, burdock, elderberry and iris, making it a delight whether taken neat or as part of a cocktail.
With a regular series of Blue Pig events, it’s likely you’ll stumble in to something fun whenever you go. In December Manchester’s finest DJs spin everything from Indie Rock n Roll (on Fridays), to hiphop, funk, soul and R&B on Saturdays. Each Wednesday evening you can try your hand at Oink Punk Bingo (£1 per play including a shot of tequila.) and in January their Pig-turehouse film screenings return, featuring cult films served with movie inspired cocktails and free popcorn. Nice.
www.facebook.com/bluepigmanchester
www.twitter.com/thebluepigmcr
The James Watts, Cheadle
13 High St, Cheadle SK8 1AX
www.thejameswatts.co.uk
James Watts was a one-time mayor of Manchester (between 1855-1857) and a self-made entrepreneur. Like the man himself the James Watts pub prides itself on bringing tastes from all corners of the globe. A simple food menu of toasted sandwiches, plus a selection of nibbles and cakes will soak up your well-deserved beverages.
Open mic nights on Mondays and live acoustic acts on Thursdays augment the laid-back atmosphere. Sunday evening is quiz night and a range of drinks promotions run throughout the week.
With a fine range of over 100 beers it has certainly earned its title of ‘master of craft’. The James Watts offers a relaxed atmosphere for sampling fine craft beer, including our own Peanut Butter Milk Stout from the Tailgate range and Saugatuck’s Backyard IPA, refreshing, light-bodied with a hoppy burst of flavour. This 4.5% ABV Session IPA is ‘the perfect beer if you like to do stuff’ (such as performing in an Open mic night :0)
www.facebook.com/thejameswatts
www.twitter.com/JamesWattsSK8
www.instagram.com/JameswattsSK8
The House of Trembling Madness
York48 Stonegate, York YO1 8AS
www.tremblingmadness.co.uk
This uniquely named establishment is York’s oldest medieval watering hole. Quenching the thirst of travellers since 1180 it has become one of the most well known pubs in the area. The team behind it run The Trembling Madness pub and shop, as well as two luxury apartments in the ancient courtyard behind the pub. One apartment is said to be haunted. The other includes an Atari 2600 computer. Hmmm, I know which I’d book!
The small pub small kitchen serves a good range of award-winning food, including four different platters to accompany your craft beer tasting. Our own Peanut Butter Milk Stout from the Tailgate Beer range is on offer here and we’ve heard it goes brilliantly with the Yorkshire Platter.
www.facebook.com/TremblingMadness
www.twitter.com/TremblingMad
Bierhaus, Reading
8 Queens Walk, Reading RG1 7QF
www.bierhauspub.co.uk
Bierhaus is the first authentic German bar and restaurant in Reading. It serves a great selection of German pilsners, wheat beers and flavoured beers by the stein, as well as a wide variety of bottled beers, wines, and spirits from all around the world.
Traditional German home-cooked food dominates the menu, including Bratwurst, schnitzel, flammkuchen (a kind of flatbread with cream, onions and bacon), and is nothing short of perfect for cold winter nights.
Their happy hour deals (Tues-Weds 4-8pm, Thurs-Sat 12-5pm and all day Sunday), mean you can grab yourself a pint of our own Fordham Gypsy Lager for just £3. Or maybe buy two and treat a friend? Fordham Gypsy is a munich-style Helles lager is brewed with Munich and Vienna malts to provide a honeyed backbone that is contrasted with the clean bitterness of Perle hops. The result is a crisp and refreshing beer, which goes wonderfully with schnitzel.
NB. Bierhaus is closed on Mondays.
www.facebook.com/BierhausReading
www.instagram.com/bierhausreading
7 Bone Burger
Eight locations including Southampton, Bournemouth, Camberley, Reading, Eastbourne, Hove and Portsmouth
www.7bone.co.uk
7 Bone Burger was founded by Matt and Rich, ‘two hardworking guys with a passion for great burgers, American comfort food and service with a smile.’ Their restaurants boast quality American food including a mouth-watering selection of burgers. Each features a unique name, such as the Prince Charles is Overrated and Ronald’s Revenge. Coupled with the Franks a Weiner hot dog, and the Dirty Linda or Juicy Boris vegetarian options you do begin to ask yourself what the naming committee were smoking (and where can you get your hands on some).
Their delicious American food wouldn’t be complete with a complementary craft beer offering from across the pond. This comes in the shape of the Saugatuck Brewery Oval Beach Blonde, an easy drinking light ale with subtle malt flavours and aroma and a well-balanced body. It goes brilliantly with any tasty burger.
7 Bone recently launched its special Christmas burger, the Son of a Nutcracker. This is basically a full roast in burger form. Stuffing coated buttermilk chicken smothered in melted brie, sausage patty, cranberry mayosauce, crispy onions, gravy and topped with a pig in blanket. If you’re lucky enough to live in Reading you can order your food online and collect it.
www.facebook.com/7boneburgerco
www.twitter.com/7bone_dive
www.instagram.com/7boneburgerco
Run a bar or restaurant and keen to learn more about stocking any products in our portfolio? Get in touch at info@heathwick.com or tweet us @HeathwickUK and one of the team will be happy to help.