Beer festival at the Smithfield

The Smithfield Hotel is running a beer festival until the 2 May.

As is always the case at one of Manchester’s oldest establishments, there are beers from all over the UK for customers to sample and devour. Some might be familiar to real ale buffs but there are also some brand new entrants to the market and several that have never been hand pulled in Manchester.

By 1843 the Smithfield included a seven-barrel copper brewpan, two copper pumps, a working square lined with lead and a very large water cistern, also lined with toxic lead. “What’s your poison?” must have been an appropriate phrase.

There are over 50 ales to choose from and the pub has tried to obtain as many as possible that are themed to the celebrations being held this Easter from St George’s Day to the Royal Wedding.

The Smithfield Hotel itself is a late Georgian pub, built in the townhouse style of the time when Swan Street was on the northern fringe of built up Manchester. The real ale tradition is very long, including a spell as a brew-pub.

By 1843 the Smithfield included a seven-barrel copper brewpan, two copper pumps, a working square lined with lead and a very large water cistern, also lined with toxic lead. "What’s your poison?" must have been an appropriate phrase. Subsequently the place was a well-known market pub. It now survives as one of Manchester’s classic heritage pubs.

The festival will also see a new look to the bar which has recently undergone a makeover with further plans to extend the bar area in the not too distant future.

The Smithfield Hotel, 37 Swan Street, City, 0161 839 4424 www.thesmithfieldhotel.co.uk