H1780 TAP & STILL
W L FEATURE
H1780 TAP & STILL
H1780 Tap & Still , the brand new urban brewery and distillery with bars and eatery in Liverpool ’ s Baltic Triangle , has got people talking .
The brainchild of Hoylake entrepreneur Stephen Crawley , the Tap & Still opened in December last year and in just a couple of months has received rave reviews from both public and critics .
For Liverpool Confidential , Damon Fairclough stated : “ Ceilings are lofty , bricks are exposed , but this venue ’ s sense of industrial chic is positively inviting and almost theatrical in nature , thanks to various spotlights and shadows , girders and gantries . A very long bar featuring fourteen keg taps and two cask hand pulls extends down the length of the main space , while large windows look out to urban work-inprogress on one side , and in to the brewery and distillery on the other ... The food bordered on brilliant .”
Liverpool ’ s Design My Night stated : “ H1780 Tap & Still is predicted to become the new beating heart of Liverpool ’ s burgeoning Baltic Triangle ... H1780 represents the homegrown character of the area that is fast becoming the cultural capital of an already cultured city . With delicious modern British food ... this airy and industrial warehouse space has found the perfect balance between much loved tradition and fresh ideas .”
Many visitors have posted similar thoughts on social media .
Tap & Still guests find themselves right beside a working brewery that produces Higson ’ s beers with recipes bringing a 200 year old Liverpool brand into the 21st century . Love Lane beers , including the increasingly popular Love Lane Pale Ale , are also brewed in 62-64 Bridgewater Street .
Head Brewer , Mike Benson , says : “ I really enjoy creating very characterful and drinkable beers and it ’ s great that we can look through the window and see people enjoying them next to where they are actually made . We get instant feedback , which so far has been excellent and really useful as we familiarise ourselves with our new kit .”
Mike ’ s assistant , Liam Coulson , became fascinated by brewing when he took a casual job at Liverpool Craft Beer Company several years ago after returning from traveling . “ I just got the bug ,” he says , “ and now I just want to learn more and more from Mike . We ’ re having great fun . It ’ s just fabulous to be up and brewing in the heart of Liverpool One !”
Ben Murphy , born and bed in Wirral , is H1780 ’ s Head Distiller and the Ginsmith responsible for The Ginsmiths of Liverpool ( TGOL ) premium gin recipes . Ben is passionate about his craft and proud of his philosophy of gin making . “ The botanical choices I make mean that each TGOL gin has its own distinctive flavour ,” he explains .
“ All the gins I make start with the holy trinity of gin – namely juniper , coriander seed and angelica root . For The Ginsmiths of Liverpool gins the additional botanicals include several with links to the city .
“ One key local ingredient is sea holly , the little , purple , spiky plant that grows in places like the dunes along the Merseyside coast . In June and July we ’ ll be able to harvest the leaves again , dry them out and grind them . They bring a nice local link and really good body to our dry gin .”
The Tap & Still ’ s food offer , which is based on ingredients locally sourced whenever possible , match well with the beers and gins . The menu presents simply cooked food that enhances the Tap & Still experience . There are also special days like Pies , Puddings and Pints Sundays , and Gin Afternoon Teas are said to be coming soon .
Paul Seiffert is the Retail and Operations Manager at H1780 . He says : “ The Tap & Still is something different . It appears to work for all ages , and we ’ ve had positive comments from locals , tourists and corporates , as well as lots of enquiries from people , groups and companies wanting to stage an event or throw a party .
“ The Baltic Triangle in general has been very much an events destination - we are providing an extra dimension and the early signs show that people are excited by what we have to offer .
“ The Tap & Still is a purpose built venue that aims to build the reputation of its beers and gin through entertaining education , tours and tastings .
“ H1780 is a company rooted in Liverpool and we aim to place the Tap & Still right at the centre of the region ’ s food and drink offer . Great food , great beers and gins , with great people . Honestly , there ’ s something here for everyone .”
If you haven ’ t done so already , why not visit H1780 Tap & Still ? It ’ s at 62-64 Bridgewater Street L1 0AY in the Baltic Triangle . You can book on ResDiary or by calling 0151 317 8215 , or just drop in for coffee , breakfast , lunch , dinner , or maybe just a drink or two . Gin and beer tours start soon , too !
32 wirrallife . com