We got down to Sherwood to drink some booze...
Micropubs seem to be popping up across Nottingham like a rash at the moment. Albeit a very welcome, beery rash. First on the scene was Doctor’s Orders, taking its name from the former pharmacy that used to inhabit the building in Carrington’s stretch of shops, and now owned by Magpie Brewery.
Since moving in, they’ve had a bit of a spruce up, with new wooden tables and chairs as well as trendy exposed brickwork, but still kept all the elements that made Doctor’s Orders great – a welcoming atmosphere, friendly staff and, above all, fantastic beer. It’s a pub for convivial convos, thumbing a good book, or rewarding oneself for the evening’s dog walk (canine pals are very welcome).
The pub has five real ales on at any time – two from Magpie, and the rest constantly changing, with the owner operating a cask-for-cask swap-style policy with breweries around the UK, ensuring a permanently interesting selection. Taking a new pew by the open ‘bar’ area, we thought we’d go for a bit of a selection of halves from the chalkboard, all £3.70 a pint. Manager Dan advised we go for the sweetest ale first, and work our way up to the hoppier brews for maximum taste appreciation. We started with Bumpmill’s Ebony and Ivory (4.4%), dark and delicately spiced, with a fresh ginger aftertaste, followed by Magpie’s Angry Bird (4%), a malty, nutty, mellow-fruity ruby ale.
Nottinghamians are big pale drinkers, apparently, and they sell particularly well at Doctor’s Orders. Magpie’s Thieving Rogue (4.5%) was bitter, citrusy and easy-drinking, while Double Top’s Golden Arrow (3.9%) was a very pleasant sessioner. The winner may have been Hartshorn’s strong and very hoppy Shakademus (5.4%). Even if it is from Derby. Ales all sampled out, it was only right we gave the ciders a look-in too. I’m not usually a big drinker of the appley stuff – they tend to be pretty lethal – but the range of five (£3.70 a pint) went down very well, especially Nottingham’s Blue Barrel dry Ashton Blend (6%) and Leicester’s Charnwood medium cider (6.2%).
If you’re looking for a bed for your beer, you’re well catered for at Doctor’s Orders. Jars of flavoured nuts line the wall like sweeties for grownups, and they offer Hartland’s local scotch eggs and pork pies, accompanied by chutney and a dressed side salad. La-di-dah. There are even veggie versions available.
Magpie have just launched their craft arm, Pica, promising interesting global fusion brewing, from American pale ale to wheat beer to oatmeal stout, all ensuring a repeat prescription at Doctor’s Orders.
351 Mansfield Road, NG5 2DA. 0115 9607985
Doctor's Orders website
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