Having ventured around Manchester’s craft beer hot spots last month I was recommended more places to visit, which I did do on a sunny Friday afternoon before Megan Thee Stallion at Mayfield Depot.
There was a buzz in the city from the early afternoon as the weather was good and the cricket was canceled so there was plenty of blokes on the lash. I had a busy pre-gig itinerary and headed straight to Northern Monk Brewery’s pub, The Refectory for my first half of the day. I knew it was going to be a long one so I was trying to keep my beers under 6% which can be a challenge. Northern Monk have become one of the biggest craft beer breweries in the UK and their menu was tasty, I ended up with the 5.5% Eternal Sunshine which was juicy and easy to drink.
Next stop was over at Fierce Beer bar. The Scottish brewery opened their Manchester bar just over a year ago and it’s a great little spot with a nice range of their own Beers as well as some guest beers too. I continued down the 5.5% route but went a little left field with the Cranachan Killer, a Rasberry Pale which was refreshing with a slight sour taste without being over the top. Perfect for the weather.
It was then over to The Crown & Kettle, a great pub with plenty of cask and keg to go for and I went for an old favourite, Brew York’s Juice Forsyth and it had never tasted so good. I wanted to stay for another in this great boozer but I had more to go so off I went to another brewery pub.
Seven Brothers Brewery are based in Manchester and they do have an on-site tap room in Salford but their Northern Quarter pub ain’t bad either! I’d had their Hazy at Peddler last week so I knew I was in for a treat. This time I went for the Easy which was nice and steady, a no frills pale. It was a great space, particularly downstairs.
It was then off to my last stop, another great Manchester brewery Panoma Island who opened their brand new tap room in Freight Island in April. The bar was a nice little area just on the outskirts of the vibey area of Freight Island. I started off with Day Saver, another juicy pale then their classic Factotum, a straight up pale to go with tacos I’d ordered from Madre.
Freight Island is a bit nuts! Located just outside Piccadilly Station, a huge warehouse converted into a food hall with several restaurants and a few bars, there’s chandeliers hanging from the ceiling and an outdoor area. Next door is another huge warehouse but this is for live music and overpriced drinks (£5.50 for a small can of macro pale ale!).
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