The Ale Trail: The Little Taproom on Aigburth Road, Liverpool

Another micropub to celebrate in the Liverpool area, The Little Taproom has four handpulls and, if nothing there takes your fancy, there are some more on keg and a fridge filled with interesting cans. Dogs aren't just allowed but positively welcomed and last night was quiz night: we decided to enter and, despite occupying first place at half-time, messed up badly in the late stages to finish a disappointing fifth.

But it didn't matter. The quality of the ale is matched by the quality of the service: bar staff go above and beyond to be friendly, bringing water for the dog and touring the various tables to enquire about further orders. The rest of the pub was clearly filled with regulars but you're immediately welcomed as one of them and the dog was treated to an especially warm greeting.

Best pint for me was the Present coffee mild, another from the consistently excellent Thornbridge stable of ales, but it was run a closer second by the local Black Lodge brewery's Raisin' The Sail, in which the raisins add some punch to a solid bitter but never overwhelm. We'd popped into a couple of other places before this in search of something to eat (a better option might have been the Little Taproom's invitation to bring in your own food) and both had stocked almost exclusively lighter ales, which is fair enough given the time of year and this excessively hot British summer. But for those of us who prefer the dark side whatever the season, it's always great to find places that provide the option.