Faith / Northern Monk / 5.1% / pale ale / £5.50 a pint / The Beagle
It’s a total wet wipe outside. The rain is famously lashing it down in Chorlton. I’m tucked in the warm confines of your friendly neighbourhood Beagle. The clock has struck five on a Wednesday and I hate to be a victim but true to type, I’m straight down the deep end of pint street. Well, not the further most reaches. I’m only going two-thirds of a pint deep. As I’ve said previously, it truly is the most fabulous of modern measures. The beer board, as per usual at The Beagle, is inspiring. If it was a book it’d be a page turner. If it was a film, critics would be giving it five thumbs up. I’m biased, of course, working here but my weekly visits always reap rewards. This week they’re coming in the shape of a side of chicken strips and two-thirds of Northern Monk’s Faith.
For those of you who don’t know Northern Monk. Where you been, dogg? They’re one of the UK’s most fabulous names in beers right now. Hammering the nail home from Leeds where they have the excellent Northern Monk refectory above their brewery base. You gotta go there should you find yourself across the pennines and if not, it’s certainly worth the pilgrimage. Great food and beer aplenty.
Northern Monk, like Magic Rock, recently took the leap to cans. They changed the train beer game forever. The Mocha Porter and New World IPA specifically are absolutely top hole. Of course I’d rather visit an indie bottle shop for my crafting needs but should you find yourself in the independent oasis of “Media City” AKA Salford Quays, duly note that Booths stock Northern Monk cans. I’d suggest going to Booths anyway to see what happens when a supermarket mates with a car showroom but now even more so. I was absolutely chuffed to bits when I caught a glimpse of those cheeky Monksters in there. Check out the reduced counter on your way out, pâté city.
Back to this. One hates to use the word but this Faith is none more quaffable. It’s a real quencher. As wet a liquid as one might hope for. Almost to the point where I momentarily questioned my famous two-third measure choice. I could pint this all the way to the bank. It went like that. It was over as soon as I started. It’s an American Pale and at 5.1% is pleasingly substantial. Tasting fresh, hoppy and a mite bitter. I’m wringing my glass out trying to catch a precious last drop. That has to be an endorsement. This would be, and was, a great starter beer or a not too intense mid-point…or an emphatic closer. Or every beer in-between? I was just really looking forward to drinking a beer to be honest and this hit the spot. Should you find yourself in this predicament I’d back Northern Monk Faith to the hilt. Pairs well with The Beagle's Chicken Strips too FYI.
Look out for Northern Monk’s forthcoming collaboration with Port Street Beer House. Rumours abound that they’ve brewed a DOUBLE BODDINGTONS for Port Street’s 5th Birthday on January 28th. Wowcher.
