Pelican, Manchester

Formerly Beatnikz Republic NQ, the Pelican is now the Squawk Brewery tap, with an unchanged reversed L-shaped layout but some decorative changes. As you enter, you immediately see a row of 14 craft keg taps on the bar-back, with a large but curiously illegible display board above (which, on closer inspection, listed seven of their own beers, six from Neighbourhood and and one from Carnival). Also has three handpumps at one end of the counter and four more on the window side, offering their Oriolus (£3.90), Dawn Chorus from Neighbourhood and an Ascension cider.

Facebook page of Pelican - www.facebook.com

Facebook page of Pelican - www.facebook.com

Official site of Pelican - pelicannq.my.canva.site

Official site of Pelican - pelicannq.my.canva.site

Beatnikz Central is a long thin L-shaped bar with a serving counter on the rear wall that supports 14 keg and three cask ale products. The décor is destressed and the high bench like tables give the feel of a beer festival. There was some background music playing during my recent midweek evening visit. This place is good for beer fans, but not so much for pub fans, like myself.

After a number of high percentage beers and cider during our afternoon in Manchester, I'm not sure we did this bar justice. Nevertheless, I quite enjoyed my visit here. The bar is at the far end as you enter, with seating on the way to the bar and also off to the left. I recall the bar being quite colourful, with a couple of cask ales served from handpulls on the right-hand side of the bar. I certainly had the one (RedWillow Breakfast Stout), but I don't recall the other one. It was most likely one of the Beatnikz Republic beers I have listed below. Other beers on were Beatnikz Republic Prague Away, Boardwalk, Beach Bum, Miami Amor, Surf Etiquette, Off the Road & Rum Barrel Aged Blacklight Breakfast Stout, Squawk/Crisp Plumage, The Kernel Centennial, Buxton King Slayer, Burning Sky Saison Ete, Cigar City Cubano Espresso, Elusive Ravenswood & Alesmith/Modern Times Celestial Draw Speedway Stout. Another busy place on the edge of the Northern Quarter, but I felt far more at home in this one and a repeat visit surely can't be too long away.