"It was like an an angel p****ng on the tip of me tongue", says Jimmy.
The regular at The Shiredale in Harpurhey has just come off a night shift laying tarmac on the roads.
He had a quick shower after work before heading straight to the pub for 10am to taste his favourite beer on draft.
It's been a long three months for Jimmy, while the pubs have been closed.
The Shiredale, on Fernclough Road, is one of many venues across the region allowed to reopen today with social distancing measures.
Staff have been busy rearranging the boozer to make sure it complies with new safety requirements.
Customers must give their names, numbers and addresses at the door, there's a one way system marked on the floor, and it's table service only.
Landlord John Malone says making the pub Covid-safe has taken a lot of effort and money.
They had to pour away 27 barrels of beer when the pub closed at the end of March, they have lost a lot of revenue, and they've had to employ more staff for the reopening.
If they didn't open now, they would have had to close for good next month.
"It's been a bit nerve-racking really because we don't know what to expect, we don't know how customers are going to react.
"It's been hard work, very hard work, very stressful. The amount of dos and don'ts, it's a lot to follow.
"At the moment it's not too bad but everyone is sober. All the lads when they've had a few, their attitude changes. When they've had their whisky, asking them to keep the volume down will be tough."
Paul Costa is sitting at the window with his pint of Boddingtons.
The 68-year-old says it tastes 'magic'.
"I feel great cos it's been a long time. It's been nearly four months and it's great to see your local and have a pint of the old Boddys."
He says it's 'a bit strange' being back with the new rules.
Over at The Vine in Collyhurst and cleaner Diane Hurst is feeling emotional.
Behind her, customers are having their temperatures checked as they walk in.
"It's very important [that it's opening for the community]," she said.
"There are a lot of old people in the area that have come out to see what has been happening here. They said 'I can't wait to go out, I've not been out for 12 weeks'.
"So today they are hoping to come in, even though they don't drink, coffee and tea for the old people. It's open to everybody."
Over at The Alliance Inn in Blackley, and a group of young men are laughing hysterically in the beer garden.
"I've waited absolutely ages for a fresh pint of Stella, absolutely buzzing", one punter enthuses.
"Oh my god it's unreal," his mate says.
A huge beer tent has been erected in the pub garden ahead of their big game of bingo later.
"We've done everything. Whatever we can do we've done and what we haven't done we will have to learn by mistakes", says Nicola McMillan while holding an inflatable doll - one of the props for the pub games later.
All the tables in the pub are separated by perspex screens and she later dons a face shield as the punters arrive.
Pub-goer Tonika Ryan, 28, is pumped for the day ahead.
"How do I feel? Best day ever. Super Saturday, let's go. I'm gonna see everyone, at a social distance.
"Keeping safe, but having a great time. We've missed it. Local businesses are back. Come on the Ally, wooo."
DJ Micky Valente is sipping a pint of Guinness, which he says tastes 'class'.
‘Breakfast, dinner and tea that’, he smiles.
He is getting ready to spin a few discs later, and tells us to expect a lot of reggae and soul.
Down at The Glue Pot in Newton Heath and the Manchester Evening News bumps into Michael Deveney of The Creation of Manchester fame.
The 52-year-old was pictured in a viral photo several years ago in which he was snapped lying on the road next to a pint of beer on New Year's Eve.
"It's one of them things innit", he says, unfazed by his local fame.
"It was very messy. Two pints I'd had, that's all I'd had."
"Two pints of Bacardi", a friend jokes.
"I'd been in here that night. I got drunk out of here. I had a few drinks. I woke up and got a taxi and f***ed off home," Michael adds.
He says tonight will be 'sober'.
Friends who have gathered outside say the photo was 'epic' and they begin chanting 'Manchester Picasso'.
"You never spilt a drop did you Michael?", one says cackling.
"It wasn't my bottle", he replies - tongue firmly in his cheek - before taking a drag on his cigarette.
