IT reads like a roll call of Manchester’s new craft beer hopistocracy – the line-up for the Manchester Brewery Expo 2015, which takes place on Saturday, May 23 and Sunday, May 24.
The inaugural day features Piccadilly area breweries – Alphabet, Cloudwater, Privateer, Squawk and Track., all opening their doors to the public for tours, classes and tastings, climaxing with a Manchester tap takeover of First Chop Brewing Arm on Trinity Way, Salford.
Sunday it’s the turn of the Green Quarter brewers, Blackjack, Runaway and old stagers Marble for a similar line-up of events plus street food and live music. The May Day mayhem is complete with a tap takeover of Blackjack (below) on the Sunday evening.
Not that it’s all about young tryos. A number of special beers have been created including a collaboration between the Green Quarter trio and trad brewers up Cheetham Hill Road Joseph Holt (founded in 1849). All the brewers (pictured) came together to brew a special Expo American Pale Ale, which will be on sale at every venue
There’s so much still brewing. Keep up via www.facebook.com/MCRBrewExpo or @MCRBrewExpo.
Tickets, which range from £5 for one beer/souvenir to £15 for a full weekend pass, are going fast. Buy via this link.
A more traditional, longstanding CAMRA beer festival takes place the following weekend (May 28-30). The 29th Stockport Beer & Cider Festival, at Edgeley Park Stadium, features over 200 beers, ciders and perries, along with food and live music.
Back again after its launch success last year is Bar Nouveau, where a dozen specially created beers will make their debut from an impressive roster of local breweries. Quantum have brewed a Sorachi Ace Stout, Offbeat a Pineapple Saison, Deeply Vale a Banana Split Stout, while Runaway/IndyMan Brewhouse have come up with a Hopen Weisse, a hoppy German-style wheat beer.
For full details visit www.stockportfestival.org.uk or via @skbeerfestival. Admission prices range from £2 to £5, depending on which session.