Beech Inn, Manchester

On a recent midweek crawl of Chorlton, south of the A6010, the Beech Inn was the first, and one of the only, places that I found to be a proper down-to-earth pub rather than a pretentious bar or gastro pub. Out the front are three wooden tables with chairs and out the back is a large paved beer garden with a mix of garden furniture and an AstroTurf seating area. The interior consists of a dog free seating area to the right of the entrance and another seating area to the left that is faced by the front of the bar. I counted six hand pumps that were drawing Sharp’s Doom Bar, Titanic Plum Porter, TT Landlord and Boltmaker, Mancunian Hoppy Blonde and Beech Inn Brew. There was also a premium keg range as well as Beavertown Neck Oil. In the rear is another seating area served by the back of the bar. Banquettes are found around the walls and there are a few small round tables with stools. A large televisions on the rear wall was airing football via BT Sport. Food is available in the form of pizza. I found the service to be very friendly and I would have no problem returning here.

This is an original pub as opposed to a shop conversion bar which seemed to be the norm round here. I went in the room at the front which is small but seems to have been recently decorated. I didn't bother to look in the other bar as it had a television in it. The bar has six hand pumps which had Old Rosie Cider, Taylor's Landlord & Golden Best, Everard's Tigeer, Bombardier Burning Gold and Thwaite's Wainwright, not a very interesting selection. I went for the Landlord which was in excellent condition but priced at a whopping £3.70. This is potentially a good pub but was let down for me by high prices and a dull mainstream beer choice.

Traditional 3 roomed pub that is currently undergoing extensive renovation, so it's difficult to say what it will be like when it's finished. When I called in on a Friday evening the walls were all stripped bare, but the pub was still full. A more mature clientele in here than in most places in Chorlton and it's nowhere near as pretentious as its near neighbour the Horse & Jockey. Efficient bar staff served everyone in turn even though it was busy. 10 handpumps were on serving a fairly safe selection of regular ales plus a couple of more adventurous changing guests. My pint was in very good nick and there was a good atmosphere around the pub. I like it in here and will call back next time I'm in Chorlton.