So far in the year 2013 I’ve only written four posts (the
Advent calendar one does not count) and they have mostly been rants or rather
disparaging reports of events or bars I’ve visited. I’ve taken a little bit of
stick for this, undeserved considering it is the times I feel most passionate
about a certain occurrence that I feel the desire to put it into words.
Anyway, since passion also breeds happiness I felt compelled
to express my joy at my first visit this weekend to a brand new beer shop in
the centre of Manchester. We’ve been lacking a great beer shop in the city
centre for so long that the thought has crossed my mind on more than one
occasion to just open one myself. Finally, somebody with a little more providence
than myself has gone about doing this in the form of the BeerMoth.
Seeing as it’s in the heart of the Northern Quarter, the area
I frequent the most in the city centre, this couldn’t be more conveniently
placed for me. The shop only opened at the beginning of last month and somehow
escaped under my radar completely. Located next to Tib Street Tavern, the shop
still feels very new and does come across bare in patches. There is a focus on
your rarer, sometimes pricier, treats, with ranges such as a good selection of
Cantillon brews and beers from American brewery “The Bruery” being just some of
the examples. Whilst the variety and assortment is certainly exciting, my only
criticism would be to pad the stock out with some more basic brews for the less
concerted drinker. There are large ranges from the likes of Red Willow,
Mallinsons and The Kernel, but Fyne ales, for example, are only represented by
their recent Superior and Sublime range where I would like to see more of their standard
range available too. It was nice to see Brooklyn Black Ops offered, but then
again it’d be just as good to see Brooklyn Brown Ale stood next to it.
Having said that, this is advice, not criticism as I am more
interested in the beers that aren’t always readily available to me. With this
in mind, and with a 5 bottle limit in my head, I chose one of my favourites in
Green Flash’s Barley Wine, as well as efforts from Dark Horse, Birra del Borgo
and Beavertown. There was also a collaboration Christmas beer from Nogne, Jolly
Pumpkin and Stone, which I never knew even existed, that I had to have. There
isn’t really a drink to dislike in this shop. A selection of any five from the
shop would have been more than satisfactory.
The staff were really knowledgeable as well as determined to
offer advice and experience which was most welcome. I’m really excited that
such a place finally exists in Manchester. I wish them luck and really hope
they are well supported in turn. I’ll be returning all too frequently.
So there you are; positivity, good news, something to smile
about finally in 2013. It’s not frowns all the time you know.
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