Fiveclouds Tap & Bottle, Macclesfield

A shop conversion so it’s long and thin with the counter to the centre right. There is also a downstairs seating area apparently. One hand pump on the counter with an average Ossett White Rat, the back wall has the standard ten keg taps with a good variety of beers and a cider. All are listed on separate strips of blackboard to the right of the counter. Industrial floor, the tables are modern wood on deco style metal bases, the seating consists of long benches curved at the ends or modern versions of machinists stools. There’s a couple of fridges, one of soft drinks and mixers the other of beers. A few pictures as decor and a screen; most of the “decor” is in the front windows. A better drinking experience than nearby R&G but still a touch bleak.

Fiveclouds Tap & Bottle is a small shop converted bar with a serving counter mid-way along the right-hand wall where craft keg is available from ten fonts that run across the back bar. There are two hand pumps on the bar counter, one of which was unused and the other had been repurposed as a blue roll holder. I don’t know why bars do this, you wouldn’t leave a mop leaning in the corner so why have spill paper as a main focal point on the counter? I went for half of Salt Beer Factory’s Jute which was my least favourite and most expensive drink of the day. I liked the wooden décor and found the service to be polite, but the music was too loud for a Monday evening. A friendly bar, but the lack of cask means that I’ll probably not visit again.

Supposedly a brewery tap, but none of their beers were being served in draught form from the ten craft keg taps on the bar-back. Neither of the handpumps were in use either, but there was still a good range of beers in different styles from a variety of breweries, and I went for the Pintle (£4.40) from Burnt Mill. Anyway, apart from that, it had a micro-pub appearance and vibe, but there is also some bench seating out on the front pavement and a cellar room (not in use when I visited).

One of the most upmarket places in Macc with a young/middle class crowd. Beers are kept well - a lot of bright orange craft beer which isn't up my street but is popular. Busiest pub in Macclesfield town centre on a Friday night!