Craft beer + hipsters = CraftBeerHipster.com

Phew. Finally. A place to be a proud, real ale drinking hipster. Wear that plaid with pride here, brethren.
Sport that facial hair with gusto, just don't get foam in it.

Gather round and embrace the fact that you have better taste in music that's no-one's heard of. What's more, that freebie girl's softball t shirt DOES look better on you than it ever did on a girl, and just to show how much you disavow corporate, mass marketed everything- now you have a place to discuss beer that no-one's ever heard of too.

This sounds a little unkind, but before you get all defensive...I've got a beard and wear checkered shirts (yes, I'm British- therefore more hip than you). I also, genuinely love craft beer and real ale, and I know that for the vast majority, craft beer is a way of life- not a fashion accessory. You can spot those people because they're holding a PBR and wearing their sister's sunglasses. We also welcome the CAMRA crowd- after all, Dads are the original hipsters.
If you feel like I do...read on. While we're at it, let's have a pint of IPA so hoppy you'll bounce out of bed tomorrow, and show everyone else how superior we are.....

Friday, 26 August 2011

Light review: The Knott

Since the last post I've been doing a little touring around of some of the establishments I've not visited in Manchester, England for a good few years. I used to work in the historic Castlefield area of the city, and took the opportunity of a friend's birthday to see what was on offer, craft beers stylee, down there these days.
The Knott is situated at the bottom of Deansgate, next to the Bridgewater Canal, underneath a railway bridge. I've always thought the design of this place was more suited to a kind of after-work wine bar, as opposed to a real ale pub. Overlooking that, the staff were nice and friendly, and knowledgeable about the ales on offer.
There was a good mix of local brews- Manchester Bitter being a popular favourite, and 6 hand pumps in all. I noticed they had a Boggatt Ale on too, from a micro brewery in Manchester based on the legend of the "Boggatt"- sort of a troll that lives in the woods! Too many craft beers I think...
Food is great here- a mix of great home made burgers, including a lamb offering, and other traditional British fare, bangers and mash, steak etc. I'd highly recommend the "Knott Burger", simple but really well cooked and goes great with the beer.
The really impressive feature of the Knott for me though, was the selection of American craft beers on offer, specifically Brooklyn Local 1- rarely seen far from the Williamsburg brewery. Disregarding the fact it was retailing for over £17, it's impressive. 
I also enjoyed a bottle of Anchor Liberty, as opposed to the more common (in the UK at least), Anchor Steam out of San Francisco, plus a Goose Island Honkers Ale, and a Brooklyn for good measure. I really haven't spotted such a good US line up since the women's World Cup squad ;)
Actually there's only really Port St in Manchester which can compete...
In short, stop by the Knott- it's a great warm up spot in Manchester, and a slightly older crowd too before heading to the likes of Port St or Odd in the Northern Quarter to really hang with the hipsters....

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