Stamps Bar, Crosby

Stamps Bar in Crosby

I had agreed to meet an old school friend in Stamps Bar, Crosby, as neither of us had been there for some time. Situated on a prominent corner of the Liverpool-Southport road, it used to be a post office, hence the name, and is on two levels, the upper floor being reached by a wrought iron staircase.

The bar has six handpumps and the real ales available when we called were: Revolutions Pretender, BG Sips Pale Ale, Woodland Brewery Midnight Stout, Copper Dragon Golden Pippin, Bradford Odsal Top, and Stamps Bondi Blond. Yes, the pub has its own micro-brewery in nearby Kirkdale (capacity 36 gallons). The beer range is constantly changing, although it always includes one of Stamps own brews and a stout or porter. All the beers we tried were in good order, and the Bondi Blond was a pleasant, well-balanced, very drinkable pale beer that didn't rip your taste-buds off with excessive hops or citrus. Bottled beers include Stamps own range, plus a good selection of beers from around the world. Other drinks available are BrewDog Punk IPA, Blue Moon Belgian White Wheat Beer and a wide range of gins.

Stamps has several regular events during the week, much of it musical: Tuesday is ukulele night, Wednesday quiz night, Friday a disco and there is live music on Saturday and Sunday. Thursday 17th March is St Patrick's Day and they have special night planned. Food should be available very soon once a new chef is in post. The pub has free Wi-Fi and computer terminals for customers' use. Children are admitted, but no dogs. They have a pleasant outside drinking area to the rear, nicknamed by customers the Yard of Ale.

We had a very pleasant afternoon; there was a steady flow of customers and a happy buzz of conversation around the place. The busy barmaid was very helpful in telling me about the pub and the beers, and was so keen that we try the Stamps Bondi Blond that she gave us free samples - so how could we refuse?

Stamps is at 4 Crown Buildings, Crosby, L23 5SR. Phone: 0151 286 2662, and website. It is about 8/10 mile from Bundellsands station, but many buses, including the X2 and the 47, stop two minutes' walk away.

This is part of a series of articles that I am writing for the CAMRA column in our local paper, the Southport Visiter. Previous reviews are here.