The Dead Crafty Beer Company - Allerton

You'll find this tucked away on Allerton Road, where the beer fridges are constantly rotating with new breweries and the regulars are already deep in conversation about hop varieties by 4pm. The name might sound like a student union attempt at edginess, but don't let that fool you – this is serious about beer without taking itself too seriously. The space feels like someone's converted their front room into the craft beer bar they always wanted to drink in. Staff pour generous tasters before you commit, and they're genuinely excited to talk you through whatever's just arrived from that brewery in Manchester or the latest sour from Belgium. Come Friday evening and it's packed with locals who've made this their regular, which tells you everything you need to know.