Comments on: Tasting Notes: a few session beers (Acorn, Titanic, Redemption & more)

By: Darren Turpin

Darren Turpin — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 19:36:04 +0000

Hi Tandleman - I've spotted a couple of comments elsewhere to the effect that the Urban Dusk isn't so good - wasn't one of the best beers I've ever tasted, but it was alright on the night and went down nicely.

By: Tandleman

Tandleman — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 09:02:43 +0000

You must have been in around the same time as me. I agree with all your comments except for the Urban Dusk, which I thought pretty near undrinkable. I still have the photo of the pump clip on my phone.

By: Darren Turpin

Darren Turpin — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 07:35:56 +0000

It was years between bottle and cask for me (there are a few outlets in Manchester that sell the bottles, but not that many) so my recollection of the former is dim, but the draught pint is well worth seeking out - very smooth, fresh, rich and malty it was, with that slight herbal edge from the heather. Lovely.

By: Richard

Richard — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 20:02:00 +0000

Despite living north of the border, I've never actually seen Fraoch on cask anywhere - I've always felt it's slightly lacking in the bottle, so maybe that extra oomph being on draught brings out the flavours a bit more. I'll continue looking for it...!

By: Darren Turpin

Darren Turpin — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 11:26:22 +0000

Hi Rob - I think The Angel used to be called the Beer Cellar, or the Beer House or something? It changed hands a couple of years ago and was taken over by a chef who turned it into a gastro-pub, but seemed to run it a bit erratically. He left to go to the Mark Addy before Xmas and new owners took over. Their big innovation has been to open an upstairs dining room, creating more space for casual sit-and-drinkers downstairs (and to expand the menu with a wider range of traditional and game-based dishes). But more importantly, they also seem to be getting some interesting ales in from a few of the smaller (and mainly local, or at least Northern) breweries that you might not see all that often. The selection seems to change regularly and on our most recent couple of visits they've had one good strong / dark beer on as well as three or four session bitters.

And yeah, it does look a bit run-down on the outside, but the inside is quite pleasant (if a bit tatty in the corners). Definitely worth dropping in for one next time you're en-route to The Marble, or if City are playing at home and the Marble is hammered as a result.

By: Rob Derbyshire

Rob Derbyshire — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 09:56:32 +0000

I've passed by The Angel many times on my way up to the Marble Arch. It always looked a bit scary, in a bikers-bar type of way. I've only had Fraoch once before and enjoyed it. I have a bottle of the barrell aged 21st Anniversary in my cupboard but I'm waiting for the right time to drink that one. But I'd love to try it on draught. I love Wenslydale beers but I've never had the porter, try Black Dub it one of my favourite stouts around.