Our beer scene
TWELVE pubs from Southport and Formby have been recognised in the 2018 Good Beer Guide which is published this week.
It is an increase from last year’s edition – in which nine pubs were listed – with Formby and Hillside among areas seeing a real ale renaissance.
Last year the Freshfield was the sole entry from the Formby area – this year it is joined by Sparrowhawk and the Beer Station.
Tap & Bottles in Southport, the Southport & District Camra Pub of the Year for the past two years, retains its place in this year’s guide.
Hillside – which didn’t have any bars until recently – now has both the Grasshopper and The Pines, which feature as new entries in Southport, along with Peaky Blinders and Barrel House.
Peaky Blinders co-owner Rob Swire said: “We are just delighted to be selected. We pride ourselves on how we maintain our beers and the range we stock.”
Omissions from last year’s guide are the Inn Beer Shop in Lord Street, The Phoenix in Coronation Walk and The Zetland in Zetland Street.
The Good Beer Guide is celebrating its milestone 45th edition this year. The book is available in all good bookshops.
These are the pubs in Southport and Formby which make this year’s guide: 1. Barons Bar
239 Lord Street, Southport, PR8 1NZ
12pm-11pm (midnight Fri & Sat) (01704) 534000
Moorhouse’s Pride of Pendle; Tetley Bitter; house beer (by Moorhouse’s); six changing beers (sourced regionally; often Lancaster, Moorhouse’s, Southport).
An ornate baronial-style bar situated within the Scarisbrick Hotel complex, with a front lounge with chairs, tables and comfy settees overlooking Lord Street.
The bar has been championing real ale in Southport for many years and offers a varied selection of beers, both local and national. One real cider is available. 2. Guest House 16 Union Street, Southport, PR9 0QE
11.30am-11pm (midnight Fri & Sat); 12pm-10.30pm Sunday (01704) 537660
Deuchars IPA; Ruddles Best Bitter; house beer (by Caledonian); four changing beers (sourced nationally; often Phoenix, Salopian, Southport)
Near the station and Lord Street, this listed building has an impressive frontage and interior with three wood-panelled drinking rooms. The bar has 11 handpumps, one serving a local micro beer, and offers a wide range of malt whiskies.
A quiet, traditional pub, attracting a mixed clientele, there is seating outside at the front and a courtyard to the rear.
Entertainment includes a Thursday night quiz and acoustic folk club on the first and third Mondays of the month. 3. Peaky Blinders
589 Lord Street, Southport, PR9 0AN
10am-midnight (1am Fri & Sat) (01704) 651881
Robinsons Cumbria Way, Double Hop; Timothy Taylor Landlord; two changing beers (sourced regionally; often Martland Mill, Old School, Tatton)
Peaky Blinders, named after the popular TV programme, opened in 2015 on the north end of Lord Street in what is now known as the Northern Quarter of Southport.
The bar is in an old corner shop just up Seabank Road from the promenade.
It is dog friendly. 4. Sir Henry Segrave
93-97 Lord Street, Southport, PR8 1RH
8am-midnight 530217
Greene King Abbot; Marston’s Wainwright; Moorhouse’s Pendle Witches Brew; Phoenix Wobbly Bob; Ruddles Best Bitter; Sharp’s Doom Bar; six changing beers (sourced regionally; often Lytham, Robinsons, Saltaire)
Named after the former land-speed world record holder who used to race on Southport flats, this is a spacious Wetherspoon pub with an attractive 19th century exterior.
The manager is a strong supporter of real ale and runs regular beer festival trips and also has occasional Meet the (01704)