The Grapes, Liverpool

A decent sized corner pub with a modern beer emphasis, eight or was it nine handpumps with good choice, I plumped for a Wild Card Five Card Draw. it would be a regular haunt if I lived up this way.

Another great discovery in what is fast becoming one of my favourite beer towns. A knocked through corner pub, with a couple of booths to the side. Found Utopian ESB on cask - which was a real surprise. Excellent.

The Grapes is probably still just about my favourite pub in Liverpool. When it's quiet (generally during the afternoon), it's a lovely place to while away a few hours and working your way through the beer selection. When it's busy (evenings), it has a really lively atmosphere and appears to be much favoured by students. With its corner location, space around the bar is at a premium. The largest area of seating is at one end of the pub. But there are further smaller seating areas next to a set of stairs and at the opposite (Knight Street) end. Real ales are constantly changing. The range on Thursday evening was Neptune Wooden Ships & Silenus, Mobberley Brewhouse 1924, Siren Yulu, Chapter Pemberley & Cat's Cradle & Wander Beyond Peak. The real cider was Yoxall Dark Fruits, whilst craft beers are also represented. These were Chapter As Lazarus & Suffering Is An Art, Love Lane Pale & Carnival Maple Swoon. Staff are good at spotting those waiting to be served around what can be a very congested bar area. However, this was another pub that cannot seem to stick to its published opening times. Their Facebook page says that they open until 2am on a Thursday. The CAMRA website is in agreement. But Google turned out to be correct with its 1am listing. Nevertheless, I always enjoy a visit to this pub and 1am is normally well past my bedtime in any case!