The Ale Trail: The Ship & Mitre, Liverpool

Stiff competition when it comes to the best pub in Liverpool City Centre, but this great boozer nor far from the Queensway tunnel entrance has had my vote for a while and a quick visit last night reconfirmed it. Aside from the great ale selection, which of course is the most crucial factor, I love the layout and decor - a kind of wayward take on 1930s art deco, with the kind of sprawling, sectioned layout that gives an intimate feel even though the pub isn't a small one. It's the kind of setting that looks different depending on where you choose to sit.

The Ship & Mitre is situated on Dale Street. Another decent pub, The Exelsior is practically next door to it: it's worth a visit too but pales in comparison with the mighty S&M (if that's not a misleading abbreviation). They serve the local scouse delicacy plus a vegetarian option and there's a handpump with a scouse stout on: the idea is you pour some into your food to enrich it. 

I prefer my stout drunk rather than eaten so, with that in mind, I opted for the Early Days porter, a well-established favourite from Manchester's Blackjack microbrewery. If you like your stouts and porters, the Ship is a great place for them. They also have a couple of stouts on keg. If you don't, you'll find something to your taste among their eight changing handpulls.