after an evening of mild pain & occasional pleasure (no, not S&M - I went to a local film-makers showing at FACT, Liverpool) we stopped off for a quick couple in the Ship&Mitre, Dale St.
Despite changing hands there's thankfully still a great range of beer, very well-kept too.
The Anglo-Dutch "No Doubt it's t'Stout" didn't seem totally stout-y to me, but was bloomin delicious (slightly malty, hoppy, some roasty flavour, but all greatly balanced). Bazen's Black Pig was a very decent mild - easy-drinking, slightly roasty & goodly refreshing. The Facer's Smoked Ale (I think they share premises with Bazens?) was again beautifully put together - like a lightly smoked pale lager to me; not too in-yer-face with the smokiness - it was noticeable, but delicate & a pleasant part of the other more traditionally beery flavours. cheers MikeMcG PS sorry to be going on about real ale again - instead of keg beer, vegetarianism, intolerance & philosophy ;~)