The Knott goes one better! Having named The Knott our Pub of the Year for the last two years meaning that the popular Deansgate bar was entered into the Greater Manchester CAMRA Pub of the Year contest where it went head to head with the entries from the other seven CAMRA branches in the region. Last year it lost out to the Crown in Worthington (which went on to make the final four in the national competition.). This year the Knott emerged victorious and has been crowned regional champ.
The results were announced by CAMRA’s Regional Director Ralph Warrington at the formal launch of the 2011 Good Beer Guide at the Marble Arch on 16 September. Knott manager Scott Davies and assistant manager Alex Swift (pictured left with their award) thought they were just there for the launch so the look of stunned amazement on their faces when the result was announced was, well, amazing.
Amazement swiftly turned to delight as they were presented with their certificate by Ralph, who praised the Knott’s commitment to choice and quality. When news filtered back to the Knott, head chef Oz dropped two plates in surprise!
If you’ve not been to the Knott do get there as soon as you can. It’s just across the road from Deansgate station and G-Mex Metrolink stop and will certainly repay your journey there. While it’s not owned by Marble Brewery there are often a couple of their beers on the bar along with a range of changing guests, usually from micro breweries near (Pictish, Phoenix and Thornbridge are popular) and far (Durham and Brew Dog for example). There is real cider and a well thought out range of foreign beers (and not the “usual suspects” either – the excellent Belgian / Dutch Urthel Hop-It was featured as this was typed). The food is excellent and the monthly “epicurean nights” sell out well in advance.
There will be a formal presentation of the award at the Knott on the evening of 11 November from 8pm. Scott and his team will be waiting to serve you all with a fantastic range of beers and ciders, while Oz and his team will be on hand to delight you with their culinary skills.