Cask, Manchester

Saturday night saw my first visit to Cask for quite a few years, and the one thing that struck me was how quiet it was compared to how it used to be. On previous visits it was standing room only but on Saturday we had no issue at all getting a table. The four hand pulls for cask ale are on the end of the bar as you walk through the door; on previous visits the bar has been crowded making these difficult to see, but not so on Saturday. The style of the place reminds me a bit of Bar Fringe. At Cask there is a larger back room and doors off there to an outdoor area. At the time of my visit the hand pulls were offering Crackendale by Thornbridge, Bramling Cascade by Mallinsons, Moonshine by Abbeydale and Ruby Jane by Ilkley. I enjoyed the Crackendale, but on this occasion was only staying for one so didn't get to try any of the others. Would be happy to pay a return visit.

Fairly straightforward small Belgian-style alehouse bar with scrubbed wood floor, blue and white walls with a larger red rear room. Despite the name, this place specializes more in continental beer. There were four ales on with the pumps facing you as you enter - Bristol Beer Factory Nova, Doctor Rudi, Squawk IPA (end of barrel) and Deeply Vale DV8 (good). Plenty of keg (14?) as well and a good range of continental bottles. Apparently you can also bring your own food in, so long as you clear up after yourself (fair enough!). A decent modern bar and some interesting beer but not necessarily one to classed as an essential visit.

A nice little micropub style place. Lots of European beer on tap and 4 handpumps of which only 3 were on today with Ticketybrew, Quantum Brewery and someone from Sheffield which I've forgotten. A decent little place.

Nifty little bar just up the road from the Granada Studios so you're likely to see a Coronation St actor or actress in here at the right time. Around 3 varied local ales on, a selection of eclectic kegs, and a good bottle selection. At lunchtimes this place allows punters to bring in their own food, usually fish and chips from the chippy next door.