Craftbrew, Salford

I visited Craftbrew on a Monday evening back in September last year. This is a cross between a bar and a café, complete with coffee bar and sandwiches. I counted three hand pumps, two of which were off leaving Thornbridge Brewery’s Lord Marples as the cask ale option. Also available from keg were four premium lagers and two ciders. All of the craft beers are in fridges so may as well go to a supermarket. There was some low background music playing, but there are no other distractions such as a television. On the wall is a mural of a Lowry work. Out the front is a covered non-smoking seating area and to the right of this is an uncovered smoking area. This place is too café for my liking so I’ll not be returning again, at least not in the evening.

Housed in a curious dark modern building with a sloping frontage and subtitled 'Coffee & Liquor', so you'll have a good idea of what to expect as you approach. The wedge-shaped interior does indeed look like a trendy café, but the mural adds an element of interest. Outdoor seating is also available under cover of the front terrace. Nothing very exciting about the craft beers on offer, and just Marston's EPA and Castle Rock Harvest Pale (£4.10) available from two of the three handpumps.

I walked into this place expecting to see a load of crafty beers on tap but, unless I wasn't looking hard enough, I only saw bottles and cans in the fridges. There where, however, 3 handpulls but not the most interesting of choices as only one was on, serving Wainwright. It seemed to me to be a more foodie place than pub. A fairly modern decor style.

Friday lunchtime visit and the place was pretty much empty. Three cask ales on, plus a load of bottles and cans in the fridge. I had the Maverick by Brightside, the half pint setting me back £2.10. The other two cask ales were Wainwright and Marston's EPA. I have been in once previously and there was more than one interesting ale on cask. It looks like the food menu may be the same as when ROB Camra visited, though if you are after sandwiches they seem to be cheaper here than at the Dockyard nearby. Can't help thinking they are missing a trick by not adding burgers and hot dogs to the menu.