Praising Grinder AND Monkey!

ON Front Street in Arnold is the fourth Blue Monkey Brewery Pub, The Organ Grinder.

Earlier this year, the pub underwent a huge refurbishment giving it a fresh new look, but also managing to retain the features and the feel that locals loved.

The refurbishment made much better use of the space inside, with the bar being shortened and benches removed to make a large space at the back. It may be summer, but come winter the new log fire will have the locals competing for the cosiest spot!

The fire is surrounded by a open brickwork hearth and mantelpiece with a portrait of the brand’s Blue Monkey on the chimney breast.

The Blue Monkey has been decorated in its signature blue, with comfy seating, bar stools and stylish wallpaper with trees and, of course, monkeys on it.

Being a Blue Monkey pub, of the seven cask lines six are Blue Monkey beers and the other is a guest. The brewery is always innovating ales and recently started its Jungle Project, which supports the World Wide Fund for Nature. From this project I tried the 6.5% Hazy New England IPA.

Tropical flavours and an abundance of coconut really make this a surprising beer, fruity sweet and a good level of a bitter aftertaste to balance it out.

A permanent keg of Blue Monkey Brewery’s Kongo lager is available, a 5% beer full of floral and citrus notes, and very quaffable on a summer’s day in the beer garden.

The Organ Grinder has one of the best beer gardens in Nottingham. With plenty of tables and beautiful lavender flowerbeds, it is in the perfect spot to get sunshine all day while sipping your favourite Blue Monkey beer, flavoured gin or new flavoured rums. The Blue Monkey team know how to make the best of this space, having regular bands and artists. Keep a look-out on social media for upcoming events.

There is always something happening at the Organ Grinder – not just the aforementioned live artists. There are also weekly quizzes, coach trips, monthly open mic nights, pie nights – and a new darts team.

They have an amazing team working hard to ensure this wonderful local, friendly pub is the place to be in Arnold.