Monthly archives: November 2019


Tom Oliver Talk and Tasting

In a real coup for Manchester Beer and Cider Festival, legendary cidermaker Tom Oliver will be hosting a special session at #MBCF20 on Thursday 23rd January.

©Olivers Cider

Tom Oliver has been described by food and drinks writer Pete Brown as ‘simply the greatest cidermaker in the world, a real artist.’  

Tom will talk you through a tasting of five ciders with his trade mark enthusiasm for his subject.  Tickets for this will go quickly, so grab them while you can.  

Renowned the world over, Tom is a multi-award winner for both his ciders and perry who draws large crowds wherever he talks.  

This will be a blending masterclass as he explains the skills in creating harmony he learnt as sound engineer (and tour manager) for the band The Proclaimers and how they apply to blending using the holy trinity of tannins, sweetness and sharpness. 

Tom Oliver has also frequently produced collaborations with brewers around the world. His collaboration with Thornbridge and Garret Oliver of Brooklyn Brewery produced The Serpent in 2016. Since then he has produced collaborations with Mills Brewing, Burning Sky and Kernel. Out soon will be his latest collaboration, with Manchester’s Cloudwater Brewery.


Protz from The Wood

One of the world’s leading beer writers, historians, lecturers and tasters is heading to #MBCF20 to lead visitors though a special tasting of beers as they used to be; served from the wood.

In the first of a series of talks and tastings to be announced, Roger heads to the festival on Friday 24th January to host a repeat of 2019’s sell out tasting of Beers From The Wood.

He will carefully select five beers from the festivals unrivalled range of beers from a wooden cask and talk attendees though the times when all draught beer was dispensed from wooden barrels.

Roger Protz (©James Darcey)
©James Darcey

Spaces at this one-off session are limited.

Tickets are available now from www.mancbeerfest.uk

For news of more tastings, follow #MBCF20 on Facebook or Twitter for announcements.


Sitting pretty – the VIP Experience

We welcome every visitor to the festival, and have a unrivalled number of seats at Manchester Central. Many of you enjoy making new friends of the drinkers you sit alongside.

But maybe you want to arrange to meet and sit with old friends and colleagues as you try our stunning selection of beers and ciders? So – new for 2020 – we’re pleased to introduce the Tiny Rebel VIP Package.

At the heart of the festival, you’ll be handily-placed for all our 20+ bars. And whether for one or twenty people, your package includes entry, souvenir glass, festival guide, a guaranteed seat in the Tiny Rebel VIP Area and £10 of beer /cider tokens to get you started. It’s ideal for groups whose members may arrive at different times.

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