The Smithfield has held a special place in the hearts of beer drinkers in Manchester for generations. But by the 20teens its star had waned – until it was taken on by Blackjack Brewery in 2014.

The brewery, based on nearby Irk Street, has been widely praised for pulling off a remarkable transformation that melded the very best of a traditional pub with the swagger of a craft beer bar. Beer lovers quickly embraced its new life and in 2016 it was named both Central Manchester CAMRA Pub of the Year and the Manchester Food and Drink Festival Awards Pub of the Year.

Six ever changing cask ales, including at least three Blackjack Brewery beers; ten keg beers; and an eclectic selection of bottles have made it a must-visit pub in the city.

Just as Lockdown 1 hit, the pub was undergoing a major refurbishment which completed under lockdown – it now looks beautiful inside and out. Apart from needing to welcome its customers back.

During lockdown, Blackjack Beers and guests in bottle, can and bag in box are available across the country via the Blackjack online shop with free local delivery.

https://www.blackjack-beers.com/

The Smithfield Sessions

Saturday 20th February (from 7pm)

Join us virtually in The Smithfield Tavern where the Devil’s Jukebox DJs will be taking over for the evening.

The evening will kick off with a set from Chris Maude for you to enjoy while you sample beers from your Smithfield box. There’ll be online video tasting notes for you to learn about the beers.

Blackjack Brewery will then invite you to an exclusive first sneak peak at their new brewing facility (currently being installed and due to start brewing around the festival). Head brewer Kieran Johnson will take you on a guided brewery tour.

After a chance to ask questions about the brewery, we will then head back to The Smithfield where Fritz will be spinning the discs to send us off for the evening.

Your beer box will include a mix of eleven bottles and cans plus your very own Blackjack goblet glass. As well as seven beers from Blackjack there will be two guest beers from Runaway Brewery complete with video tasting notes from head brewer Mark Welsby. Mark will also be presenting a cook along video using his beer in cooking. 

The box will be completed by two beers from Rochdale’s Pictish – some of which will have hidden golden tickets in their can labels. The lucky finders can win prizes including a case of beer and Pictish Brewing t-shirts.

Tickets for this event are priced at £39 including your eleven beers, glass and your exclusive codes to attend the Smithfield Sessions. There’s free local delivery on Blackjack’s standard delivery routes. Click and collect also available.

The beers in your box will be:

• Blackjack:
  • Rust Never Sleeps 6.0% 440ml,
  • Unconditional Love 6.0% 440ml,
  • Seasons Come Seasons Go 6.0%,
  • This Must Be The Place 440ml,
  • Session IPA 4.5% 440ml,
  • Helles Lager 4.8% 440ml,
  • Manchester Stout 500ml.
• Runaway:
  • Runaway Pale 4.0% 330ml,
  • Runaway Summer Saison 4.2% 330ml
• Pictish
  • Brewers Gold 3.8% 440ml,
  • Alchemist Ale 4.3% 440ml.
• 1x 2/3rd Goblet Glass

Alternative boxes featuring Blackjack Helles Lager or Session IPA are also available.