The Phoenix - By The Horns Plough Lane

Discovering Unmatched Beers and Game Haven

Tucked away in an unassuming corner of town, The Phoenix/By The Horns Brewery is one of those fantastically clandestine finds that make you feel like you've stumbled upon a closely-guarded secret. Granted, finding the place might resemble an episode of 'The Crystal Maze'—hop in, dodge an industrial estate or two, and there it materializes. But dear reader, persevere, for what awaits is worth decoding Google Maps extra carefully for. Pints here are not just pints; they are acts of worship to hops and grains, with the Foundry Nitro Stout delivering that dense chocolaty swirl we secretly wish all dark beers tasted like, while the Slaint Nitro Irish Red serves up Gaelic grandeur in every sip.

This delightful dive is as much about atmosphere as it is about the brew. Inside, you sense this is the type of spot where rain-hammered afternoons simply drift by—all big screens, craft ale in hand, pockets jangling at the pool table. Not rowdy but reassuringly bustling when necessary, especially during sporting nights making it less church, more celestial chamber. There’s something intrinsically cozy about settling down here for an evening, practically guaranteeing that once you've made the journey, you'll be plotting your return long before last orders are shouted into oblivion. — Milo Tastemaker