Blackjack Brew Tap, Manchester

Official site of Blackjack Brew Tap - www.blackjack-beers.com

Official site of Blackjack Brew Tap - www.blackjack-beers.com

The Blackjack Brew Tap is open on the last Friday and Saturday of the month between March and September. Whether it belongs on here with such infrequent openings is perhaps questionable but probably best debated on the forum. As it's listed I will add my two cents. The Blackjack Brew Tap usually has two or three cask ales on plus a number of keg beers, both from the Blackjack brewery and others. There is also a fridge with cans and bottles. The actual brewery operation is based here so probably about half of the space inside the arch is usable for drinkers, with more seating being available outside (and being Manchester, usually undercover). When the brew tap is open there are usually street food vendors outside and some kind of chiminea/fire type thing to take the edge off the cold. The seating consists of fairly rickety long benches and tables, so you do have to take a certain amount of care to make sure you or your drink does not end up on the floor. There used to be a system whereby you bought beer tokens and then redeemed them at the bar, however this seems to have been scrapped and cash is now taken directly at the bar, which I think is better. My Cinder Toffee Stout by New Bristol on Saturday was on top form and a beautiful drink. I'd say it's worth a visit if you are in this part of town on a weekend when they happen to be open. It's just down the road from the Marble Arch and the Runaway Brewery is very close, so it's not completely isolated even if it does feel a bit out on its own.

This is not a pub ! They only sell beer here during festivals. Their beer is sold in Smithfields 37 Swan St M4 5JZ