Rummaging around Rob’s Records isn’t half thirsty work. So when you emerge over the undulating dunes of discs, John Mills-like, The Barrel Drop next door is a welcome sight. The city centre’s only micropub, dispensing real ales right off the barrel on racks behind a tiny bar, it’s a cosy, beery oasis smack-bang in the middle of town, but away from the hustle and bustle, on Hurts Yard. Definitely ‘worth waiting for’.
The selection at The Barrel Drop is constantly changing. They’ve had more than 700 different beers since opening last year, with owner Chris Farman ordering in just one keg of each beer at a time – one LocAle and the rest from around the UK – so recommendations are pretty much redundant. But to give some kind of idea of the range, and in the interest of pure professionalism, I was offered a selection of samples from the ten on offer. A buffet of beer. They’re quite willing to give out tasters of all the ales too, but where’s the adventure in that?
To start, a trip over the border with the Glamorgan West Coast Red (4.8%, £3.50). When you think of a ‘red’ beer, you don’t necessarily think of it being incredibly hoppy, but seven different types of hops give this a fantastically dry finish. A hop stateside next (well, Sheffield), and a much sweeter palate from the Stancill Brewery Stars & Bars American Pale Ale (5.0%, £3.50), before the familiar sight of Ilson’s Blue Monkey brewery, and a light, bitter, slightly citrus pale ale, Chimp Chim-Inn-Nee (3.8%, £3.40). Not Blue Monkey’s finest, but very drinkable.
Leaving the darkest till last, the Notts-brewed Pheasantry Stout (4.8%, £3.60) was smooth, malty and surprisingly light, without the overly treacle-richness you sometimes get with stout.
They even occasionally brew their own beers. For their upcoming first birthday party on 12 December, they’ve teamed up with Black Iris for a one-off Christmas cake beer (all welcome to come along – there’s solid cake too).
One thing is for sure – the beer at Barrel Drop is fantastically fresh. An upside of having a short run on each beer, and drawing straight off the keg, festival-style perhaps, although those looking for a ‘tight, creamy head’ may be disappointed. It’s unarguably brilliant value for a city centre boozer too. Camra member? You’re in luck – flash your membership card for a sweet 20p off a pint, or a budget-beating 40p off on Mondays. Ready to drop on a discount Four Tops 7” back at Rob’s. Shariff Ibrahim
7 Hurts Yard, Nottingham NG1 6JD. 0115 924 3018
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