October 12, 2009
Impressive pub close to Salford Cathedral, not far from Manchester city center. Two rooms with the bar in the middle. 18 handpumps with beers mainly from British micro breweries, another 14 taps with interesting beers from Belgium, Germany, Czech Republic and so on. Just 3 crap taps (which I usually don’t bother counting). Oh, and then they have an impressive selection of bottled beers, mainly from Belgium and Germany. Very good pub food. Very friendly and efficient staff with a good idea of what they’re serving. Mainly inhabited by friendly locals, some students and one or two beer hunters. Lovely place, a must visit when in Manchester.

August 21, 2009
[RBESG 2009]. One of the nice places in Manchester. Shiny and spacious place. Lots of casks and a nice bottle selection. Food was good too (even though in some cases we had to wait a bit longer, but then again almost 20 people ordered at once :D )

July 29, 2009
Now, this was a fine place. Open and light. Lots of casks, rare ciders and Phoenix Strawberry on tap! Service was a little rushed... I said "... then I’d like another one", when the barman showed me an Anker Bok. Then he proceeded and opened it for me... well, it’s a fine bock. Good selection of bottles as well, though the list wasn’t really updated. We has lunch, which was okay, but perhaps a bit too small. Definately going here again, just for the selection!

July 24, 2009
Visited during RBESG. Spacious pub with a good selection of ales and ciders and bottled Belgian beers. Had a lovely Ploughmans. Affordable prizes. Slowish service. Worth a visit when in Manchester.

July 24, 2009
Visited during RBESG 09. Pub with a great range of cask ales, taps (Czech lager and Belgians) and bottles, for fair prices. Interior is not exactly what I like, has a bit of a snackbar feel to it because of the brightness of the place, the pale wood used for the tables and the tiles on the floor, but that’s just a minor detail considering what you get in return for beer and food. Had a curry which was really nice, although it took them quite some time to make it. But hey, it was crowded with RB’ians, so no complaint there. Only thing that put me off was that the bartender said my infected Slaapmutske Dry Hopped Pils was meant to taste like that. Overall, had a nice time here. Worth a visit for beer scooping.

April 18, 2008 [ Updated January 7, 2009 ]
Can only concur with other reviews. Definitely one of the best places in Manchester. There is a cafe-bar feel but with more warmth and local atmosphere than most of that style. The balance between Belgian and cask beers is spot on. The Belgians are interesting as Tim gets them from Wyn at drankcentrale (Dochter van der Korenaar Noblesse on tap when I visited) and there were 8 or so British beers on handpump, of which I needed 6. Friendly and enthusiastic landlord.

August 10, 2007
A real up and coming pub for scooping this one which is good news with the future of the Crescent being so uncertain. Tim is one of the most friendly and motivated barmen you will meet and always greets his customers old and new. Beer range increases every time I visit and there are some good festivals held here. McChouffe on draft on last visit was an extra bonus.

May 7, 2007 [ Updated February 9, 2008 ]
This is one of my favourite pubs in ’Manchester’ (I use the quotation marks as its actually in Salford). Tim the landlord is a sound guy, and he knows his stuff about beer, and always had loads of real ales on, Most times I have been in there he’s had atleast 4 on, but last time I went he had the full 10 pumps on I think as he was having a festival for Mayday. Food is excellent, eaten twice here now, and its always good. Try the Irish Stew, its delicious, and with the Landlord being Irish himself, you know its very authentic. The prices for the beer are good too, ranging from under a pound for a half, over £2 for a pint.

March 1, 2007
With the loss of several of Manchester’s best pubs the twin cities of Salford and Manchester are in need of some new blood to fill in the gaps... step forwards this old Vaux pub, conveniently situated between the King’s and Crescent, which is building up it’s real ales and European bottled beers. Still early days, but it needs support... and it’s really done the business so far.