Out in Manchester the other day with my oldest friend, our first pint was in Sam's Chop House. There was a middle of the road selection available - think Black Sheep and Bombardier - but we both chose Taylor's Landlord. Mike raised his eyebrows as the barman announced "£8.40 please".We repaired to the beer garden and welcome sunshine at the back and viewed the clientèle while checking out the beer. Customers were mostly "Ladies who lunch" or businessmen drinking Becks. It was a rather upmarket crowd and the pub itself could be described in similar terms, at least at lunchtime. The beer was average to good, but better on the second round when it had become a bit cooler, our pints obviously being the first through. Being used to London prices, I didn't really bat an eyelid at the cost and actually I enjoyed the experience, the ambience and indeed the beer, but tweeting without revealing the location, the cost seemed to shock some.
The price of beer is difficult to determine these days, as is the value for money. We discussed this over the next two pints in Holt's Ape and Apple where the cost of the round was five pounds odd instead of eight pounds odd. The quality of the beer in the Ape was way above that in Sam's and it had a good atmosphere too, though I'll deduct a point or two for the irritating music.
So three quid or so different, but two equally enjoyable experiences. You pays your money and you takes your choice? What do you reckon?
Holt's Mild was absolutely superb - I do love a top form mild - but best beer of the day was in the City Arms in the form of Brightside Odin. Lovely drop.
The beer was a bit clearer than it looks in the photo, but not pin bright by any means.
12 comments:
I have to admit I was a little shocked at paying about 7 quid for a couple of pints all along the West Highland Way. When I did the conversion in my head from GBP to USD it was still a bit cheaper than I am used to here in Virginia, and that's for a 16oz 'pint' rather than a proper imperial one.
You stayed for another? So, no, I guess not.
I know this Jon. Wondering what others reckon though.
Price is what you pay, value what you get.
That's why I swerve pubs.
£4.20 for a pint in Manchester seems a bit steep, I know there are pubs/bars that can charge that much where the demand is and add the word craft to their listings ;) but is Sams chop house one of those ? it seems more of a theme restaurant, so is it just charging restaurant prices instead
It's entirely possible to pay for something yet still think it is expensive. Many tourist attractions fall into this category.
If I'd just paid £4.20 for a pint and it was warm or tired from being the first one drawn that day, I'd take it back to the bar and have it changed.
Matt: The beer was average to good though it could have been a touch cooler. No grounds for sending it back. It was neither warm nor tired. Not sure how you think it was?
£4+ for a pint of Landlord is too much, except maybe in London. However, Sam's Chop House is one of those places that orange people who work in Spinningfields eat at, so it doesn't surprise me that prices are modified accordingly.
It isn't £4+ for a pint.
It's £4+ to have a drink in a place full of prosperous urban professionals knowing the scrotes are encouraged through the mechanism of pricing to have a drink elsewhere.
Well done to the TAND for going in regardless, lowering the tone, and thwarting such social division.
I'd still be surprised to pay over £4 for a standard pint in Manchester central, particularly when you regularly get Cloudwater/Tickety Brew/Squawk for less than that.
For £4.20 I'd expect the beer to have been pulled through so it didn't taste like first out of the barrel. I know what you mean about a beer being Ok but wishing it was cooler.
I enjoyed reading work. I'll come back for more
Keep up the good work :) from TheStillery,stuart bar in Florida
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