25/08/23 – Merseyside (Day 1)

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A day out around Merseyside, 1 of 3. Starting off by visiting Southport Brewery and having a look at their brewery setup, followed by visiting Tap & Bottles in the town centre. Headed out to visit several Brewery Taps – Big Bog Brewing, Azvex Brewing and Carnival Brewery, and finishing off with 4 micropubs around the Waterloo area.

Southport Brewery

Southport Brewery began trading in April 2004 and are based in a small industrial unit on the edge of Southport. I dropped in this morning to have a chat with brewer Paul ans to have a look at the brewery setup.

Was great chatting about where to find their beers and what types of styles he brews. A small setup brewing mainly for a number of local venues and bottling. Tried the “Carousel”, a really easy drinking traditional bitter. (Managed to try a few other beers over the next few days).

Tap & Bottles

My second call of the day was in Southport to “Tap & Bottles” located in the Cambridge Walk shopping arcade, which is full of small shops and cafes. Ive visited here numerous times in the past and they serve amazing Cheese Slates!

A fantastic range of cask and keg beers from around the country, and even more to choose from in cans and bottles. Around 17 keg lines and a choice of 4 cask beers. I went with Vault Citys “Blackcurrant Session Sour”, a fruity and tart beer.

Tin Shed

A short journey on the Merseyrail train brings me to Formby. A great daysaver ticket is advised if you are using the train to visit a number of places. From the station its a 10 minute walk into town. The “Tin Shed” opened in April 2021.

A great choice of beers again with 3 cask and a number of keg beers. All 3 cask beers were from local breweries (Carnival and Southport). I went with “Golden Sands” from Southport Brewery. A triple hopped bitter with a great citrus flavour.

Big Bog Brewery Tap

From here I headed back on the train to the end of the line (on the Southport Route) to Hunts Cross. A mile walk from the station takes me into Speke and Venture Point West Industrial Estate. “Big Bog Brewery” is based here, and has a taproom open on a Friday. The brewery started in 2011 in the same premises as Snowdonia Brewery but moved to these larger premises in 2016. They also run the “Strawberry Fields” brewery.

A choice of 4 cask ales alongside a number of keg beers. I started with “Padi” from Big Bog, a tasty and sessionable extra pale ale. I went onto “Pink Boots & Sunflowers” from Strawberry Fields, brewed in collaboration with Hoppy Hog Family Brewery in Ukraine. Made using a new world hop blend “Pink Boots”. Was great chatting to local Steve Mason while in here aswell (hope you find some other days out on here!).

Azvex Brewery Tap

Back into central Liverpool, getting off the train at Moorfields. A short 10 minute walk brings me to the first of 2 brewery taps (located next to each other). “Azvex Brewery Tap” is the first one. Run by the founder of Neon Raptor, he moved onto starting Azvex which started brewing in October 2021 and opening the taproom in April 2022.

A huge space inside with the brewery towards the back and even more seating outside at the front. 8 keg beers on tap today and a fridge full of others in cans to choose from. I started with “Magnificent Tree Frog”, a triple hopped super sessionable beer packed with flavour. I went into their guest beer after. “Light Come Shining v3 – Raspberry” from Rivington Brew Co. A super tart and fruity sour beer.

Carnival Brewing Company Taproom

Directly over the road from Azvex is “Carnival Brewing Company Taproom”. The brewery was started in a kitchen in Liverpool after a fundraising event at the Clearview Carnival in 2017. The brewing setup can be seen in the corner of the unit.

Yet more great beers to choose from, Carnival having 12 keg, one cask and a large choice of cans to drink in or takeaway. A tasting selection of 4 sour beers for me here. Starting with “Pash Pash Passion” (Passionfruit Sour), “All Day Brunch” (Mimosa Sour), “Great Balls of Fire” (Fireball Whiskey Sour) and lastly “Pracatan” (Lime Margarita Gose).

Trap & Hatch

From Moorfields I headed back on Merseyrail, heading back on the Southport destined train getting off at Waterloo. “Trap & Hatch” is a few minutes walk up the road from the station.

A very popular busy micropub, serving a selection of one cask ale and 6 keg beers, aswell as a choice of cans. I went with “Catharina – Peach Melba” from Triple Point Brewing. A refreshing fruity sour beer.

The Four Ashes

A short stroll around the corner to “The Four Ashes”. A family run micropub owned by the Ashe family (hence the name), again a really popular busy pub. Great to see!

5 cask beers alongside 4 keg beers available, covering a range of styles. Spotted a Dark Mild, a style that you dont see around as much as id like. “Common” from Leigh based George Shaw Brewery (a new brewery for me). Really enjoyed this beer!

The Old Tap

Another short walk to the next pub “The Old Tap”. This opened more recently in June 2022 and was converted from a clothes shop. Some great outdoor seating to the front of the pub here aswell.

A choice of 4 cask ales here with keg and cans to choose from aswell. Really great vibe in here and as with the other 2, really busy inside. I went with “Tatton Blonde” from Tatton Brewery in Knutsford.

The Corner Post

The last call of the evening is to “The Cornerpost”, around a 15 minute walk. The building used to be a former Post Office (hence the name). I got the train back from Blundellsanda & Crosby (but was quicker to walk from the last pub than jump on the train). A warm welcome here from Pete and Paul.

4 cask ales and a number of ciders and keg beers. I started with “Bowland IPA” from Bowland Brewery and went onto “Sup” from Peerless Brewing Co. Both really easy drinking session pales.