Craft Beer in Manchester
Prior to seeing Maisie Peters in Manchester on Monday I made use of my first time outside of Sheffield in over a year, exploring some craft beer bars, thanks to some recommendations, they did not disappoint.
Starting out at Cloudwater Tap, located on an industrial estate about 10 minuteS walk from PicCadilly Station. Cloudwater were one of the breweries who stood out when I was getting into craft beer, they seemed to be the ones who didn’t come cheap. I didn’t think I was at the right place when my phone was telling me I was at my destination. Then I saw the Cloudwater logo and an arrow for ‘bar’.
Up some stairs and I’d been exported into somewhere that didn’t feel like a bar, especially not a tap room but there was alcohol on tap. I was the only one in on arrival (3:30pm on a Monday) and tried to figure out the vibe. It felt a bit like IKEA, it was very white with colourful decor. I was into it, I was into the beer too, a hazy New England IPA, 5% (didn’t want to go too cray for an afternoon), easy drinking and I would have loved to work my way through the list which sounded tasty AF but I wanted to explore more of Manchester, a city I’ve always been a fan of but on Monday I discovered more reasons to love it.
From the industrial estate my phone took me through Piccadilly Village and I was in dreamland, it was magical, houses by the canal, the sun was shining, felt like I was on holiday (TBF, it was just nice to see somewhere different…).
My eyes were overloaded with newness!
My next stop was meant to be Northern Monk’s bar but there was a wedding going on and I wasn’t low key enough to slide in and take advantage of the situation (free bar surely?) so I went around the corner to Port Street Beer House instead.
Leeds brewery North Brewing Co. had a tap takeover so opted for PinatA, a tropical IPA at a reasonable 4.5%. After half here I headed down the road to Beatnikz Republic Brewery Bar Beatnikz Republic HQ, which ticked every box for a hipster craft beer bar. Spacious, neon lights, a massive mirror and a tap wall full of tasty beers.
After a half at Beatnikz I left the Northern Quarter to ÖL Nano Brewery & Bar on Oxford Road, close to Gorilla. I went via China Town, which confused my phone, then ended up in the wrong area before stumbling into Hatch, which I almost walked past, I’m glad I didn’t. I might not find street food served from converted shipping containers unique anymore but Hatch have taken it to a new level. Amongst the street food was ÖL Nano Brewery & Bar, serving up great beers that partnered my Fuku burger.
It was then gig time. What I hadn’t missed during lockdown was the crappy beer available at gigs. Gorilla had cans of Magic Rock. Not ideal.
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