Lucky drinkers are in for a treat as 13 breweries showcase their fantastic beers at the biggest beer and cider festival in the North.
Manchester Beer and Cider Festival will have beers from over 100 breweries, as well as a remarkable selection of foreign beers and ciders. It has always invited some brewers to promote their own beers at their own bars, alongside the huge main bars. But this month there will be a record number of brewery bars where festival goers will have the chance to meet brewers, talk all things beer – and, of course, drink their ales.
The festival has grown consistently and for 2017 will offer 30% more floorspace – and more seating – than ever before. Returning to Manchester Central, it is organised by the combined expertise of the nine Greater Manchester CAMRA branches. It has become an essential entry in most beer and cider lovers’ calendars.
Brewery bars manager Caroline O’Donnell said: “We have some returning established favourites, and five breweries new to the festival as its reputation spreads. But more than half our brewery bars are from Greater Manchester, reflecting the county’s position in the brewing industry. “
“We expect the beer selection will include Championship winners, traditional favourites, key-keg conditioned and some new beers never seen before. With such a great selection, Manchester can expect to be the UK’s beer capital this month.”
The breweries exhibiting are:
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Blackjack Beers – replicating their popular brewery taps, the Manchester brewer promises a rotating selection at the festival.
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Bollington Brewing Company – a long-time favourite, this award-winning brewery near Macclesfield brings its mobile bar to us for the fifth time.
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Brass Castle – vegetarian and vegan beers from this debutant from Malton in Yorkshire make it stand out, and they will have both cask-conditioned and keg-key ales to enjoy.
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Brewsmith – a family brewery established in 2014 in Ramsbottom, Bury, this 10-barrel microbrewery has attracted awards and launches a new beer, Galaxy, at the festival.
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Brightside Brewery – another Bury brewer, the Friedrich family started brewing in 2010 at the back of their bakery, and have proved to be festival favourites.
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Hawkshead Brewery – one of the most successful of the new wave of independent breweries, the Staveley brewer is expected to showcase nine of their popular range.
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Marble Beers – instrumental in putting Manchester on the brewing map for the last two decades, and with a rejuvenated range of unfined beers, this bar is a must for all festivalgoers.
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Outstanding Beers – a move from Bury to Salford last year has doubled capacity, but their quality attracts discerning drinkers wherever their beers are served.
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Pig & Porter Brewing Company – another debutant, the Royal Tunbridge Wells brewers went the whole hog to go full-time when demand for their beers took off.
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Runaway Brewery – if you’ve never tried key-keg conditioned ales, this Manchester brewery bar is a great place to start.
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Tiny Rebel – this Welsh brewer from Newport really hit the big time when Cwtch won Champion Beer of Britain – expect this to be one of their beers at the festival.
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Track Brewing Company – another Manchester brewery established just two years ago, the repeated expansion of capacity reflects the popularity of their range.
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Wildside – a new local entrant boldly launching at Manchester Central with a range of beers which promise some intriguing and unusual flavours.
Manchester Beer and Cider Festival runs from Thursday 19th to Saturday 21st January 2017. General entry tickets are available from www.mancbeerfest.uk
Further information:
David Rigby
press (at) mancbeerfest.uk
Notes to editors:
1. The Manchester Beer & Cider Festival is organised by the Greater Manchester branches of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA).
2. The festival will be open to the public on Thursday 19th, Friday 20th and Saturday 21st January 2017. Detailed opening times; Thursday 12pm – 10.30pm; Friday 12pm – 10.30pm; Saturday 12pm – 7pm.
3. Advance tickets are on sale via www.mancbeerfest.uk, Eventbrite.co.uk and Facebook.
4. Entry prices now include £3 refundable glass hire and are from £7.
5. Fuller details of brewery bars and a provisional list of beers they will bring is on our website https://mancbeerfest.uk/beers-ciders/brewery-bars-2017/.
6. The 2016 festival attracted 14,804 customers to Manchester Central from 20th – 23rd January 2016.
7. There will be a trade/CAMRA members only preview evening between 5pm and 9pm on Wednesday 18th January. This will incorporate a press reception. Media organisations can be added to the invitation list by contacting press@mancbeerfest.uk
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