Install the app
How to install the app on iOS

Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.

Note: This feature may not be available in some browsers.

Beer, revisited

I can't remember the round price when I was there but there were 5 of us and we only got one bottle each as it was pricey. Couldn't say no though! Stuck to my favourite La Chouffe most of the time.

I think they don't allow the beer to be exported which means it does through the grey market and hikes up the price.
 

Had a pint of Bishop's Tipple today. Not as nice as I remembered, and I'm sure back in the day it was stronger than 5%.

An article on the Black Toad in Hoylake :




13079007


WHEN Robin Jackson and his partner Shell Ellis moved into a flat above a vacant shop on Market Street in Hoylake the empty space proved too much of a temptation.

Two years later, The Black Toad is emerging from lockdown intact, with the bottle shop and micropub continuing to serve a dedicated crowd of regulars.
“We were just looking for somewhere to live and knew a landlord who had converted this solicitors office into a shop and flat,” said Robin.

“We loved the flat and the shop was empty and then it was a case of trying to think about what to.

“I love my craft ale and really fancied running a micropub especially as there was nothing like that in Hoylake.”
All was going well until the pandemic hit and The Black Toad was forced to shut its doors.

“We always did sell cans and bottles but during lockdown we were just selling off whatever we had and people were going nuts for it,” said Robin.
“We increased the range and expanded everything and were able to keep going by turning the back room into a speciality bottle shop.

“It was great to still be able to be in contact with everyone safely for a couple of hours each day especially those who were feeling isolated. I felt like a milk man going door to door with milk bottles full of ale!”

Robin had planned to expand with outdoor seating before the lockdown after the owners of the stationery shop next door moved out and decided to stick to his guns and go through with it despite the huge uncertainty in the economy.

“We have been amazed with the support we’ve had since we’ve reopened,” he said.

“We have been very lucky with the weather which has worked well with our beer garden and outdoor space out the front.

"People have really been embracing that cafe culture and have loved sitting outside by the road and basking in the sunshine.”
With winter coming it’s time to wrap up and get cosy inside and Robin cannot wait.
“We can’t thank those that have supported us enough,” he added. “We have loads of great regulars who enjoy our locally sourced beer from independent breweries – it is a great scene around here.”
 


Welcome to GrandOldTeam

Get involved. Registration is simple and free.

Back
Top