Hi Baggies,
On Saturday we meet for the first since 2008 I think when Carl Hoefkens played for you and Darren Carter played for us.
For those who like a quality beer or ten pre/post match this is just a quick post to recommend some of the watering holes that lay between Preston railway station and Deepdale inc numerous new places that have opened since you last visited.
First up is the Plug & Taps on Lune Street (PR1 2NN) the nearest bar/pub to the station (2/3mins walk). With four cask & ten keg taps the P&T is very much a craft ale focused bar run by two great lads with a big passion for good beer despite only being 23-25 years old. Currently on the bar are beers by Rivington, Marble, Slim Pickens, Wylam, Odyssey, Tenby, Left Hand Brewing, Wild Weather, Thornbridge, Torrside, Farmyard, Titanic and Outstanding breweries whilst the P&T fridge is crammed full of great beers from all over the place. P&T is also handily next door to the Lune Street chippy. For more info see @plugtapspr1 on Twitter or Plug And Taps on Facebook.
This year saw the opening of Preston's new outdoor market complex and with it Orchard (PR1 2JA), a microbar who like P&T, focus mainly on craft keg beer with ten taps and only two cask pumps. Orchard is rather small but well worth a visit especially if you fancy something to eat from the vast selection in the market which you can consume in the bar with your pint. Aside from ale there is also a healthy selection of (boxed) cider, gin, rum and wine. Currently on the bar are beers from Hacker Pschoor, Budvar, Beavertown, Serious, Cloudwater, Small World, Wishbone, Top Rope and Parker breweries. For further information check out @theorchardpres1 on Twitter/Instagram and Orchard on Facebook.
Next up is The Guild Ale House on Lancaster Road (PR1 1DD), Preston's first ever micropub which is handily just 30 seconds walk from Orchard (and still only 5/6 mins from the station). GAH is more traditional in its approach to beer with six cask pumps and three craft keg taps whilst Paulaner & Bavo pils are on draught for non-ale drinkers. There is no music, no TV and no sport in GAH, just healthy chatter and plenty of beer based reading material. Currently on the bar are beers from Beatnikz Republic, Wishbone, Malvern Hills, Higsons, Serious, Bank, Moorhouse, Beavertown and Castle Rock breweries with two fridges stocked with craft bottles and cans and a large number of Belgium beers. For more information see @guildalehouse on Twitter/Instagram and Guild Ale House on Facebook.
Preston's newest addition to the ale scene is Vinyl Tap on Adelphi Street (PR1 2HE). Sister pub to The Moorbrook the VT is a café, pub and music venue rolled into one with breakfasts/lunch/coffee from 8am, a shed load of good beer and dozens of vinyl records for you to choose from and put on the turntable. Currently on the bar are beers from Welbeck Abbey, Bad Seed, Beatnikz Republic, Blackjack, Tiny Rebel & Kernel breweries whilst the fridge is occupied by cans of Cloudwater, Atom, Shindigger and Dig Brew Co. Due to being half-tied VT is a place where non-ale drinkers can sup the usual 'popular draft' brands. For further info please @vinyltappreston on Twitter & Vinyl Tap on Facebook.
My final recommendation is the jewel in Preston's beer crown. The Moorbrook on North Road (PR1 1RU) was the first pub in Preston to specialise in craft beer in both cask and keg form and truly is the best pub in town. With ten cask pumps and five keg taps serving ale from throughout the UK and beyond The Moorbrook is a handy halfway point between station and ground (15mins walk from each) with extensive parking to the rear for those in the car/minibus courtesy of a now closed B&Q. As well as quality ale The Moorbrook serves freshly made woodfired pizzas from its oven in the beer garden as well as homemade burgers, both are utterly delicious! Currently on the bar are beers from Wander Beyond, Cromarty, Kernel, Castle Rock, Pomona Island, Blackjack, Dig, Fyne Farmyard and Blackjack breweries whilst for those not into their ale Guinness, Thatcher's, Stella 4, Bavo and Campus pilsners are available on draught with Paulaner, Augustiner Edelstoff, Peroni Red and Corona in the fridges. There is also a wide range of wines and spirits. If you are only able to visit one pub on Saturday or can't be bothered moving from pub to pub make The Moorbrook the one you get to. For further information please see @themoorbrook on twitter, The Moorbrook on Facebook or
www.themoorbrook.com.
Another couple of places worth mentioning are The Old Vic directly opposite the railway station and The Black Horse on Friargate as both open at 11am rather than 12pm. The Old Vic usually has three/four mainstream cask beers on whilst The Black Horse is a stunningly beautiful pub from the 1700s that serves Robinson's and guest beers from six cask pumps.
One final note please ignore the police advice on where to drink if you like good beer, especially @pnepolice on Twitter who will just send you to places that are easy to police.
Safe journey up and see you on Saturday.
