THERE’S something mighty special brewing. Eight of Greater Manchester's best independent restaurants will team up with eight of the region's best brewers to create a series of exciting new beers this summer.
The initiative is being organised by Manchester Beer Week (June 29-July 8) and aims to showcase beer’s strength as a partner for food.
Participants include highly-regarded Stockport restaurant Where the Light Gets In, which will team up with the brewery recently named as the second best in the world, Cloudwater. Another lauded Stockport eaterie, vegan specialist The Allotment, is joining forces with Thirst Class.
Much-loved sushi bar Umezushi will whip up something Japan-inspired with Runaway (brewer Mark Dredge pictured), while Indian flavours are likely to feature when Bundobust create something special with Squawk.
Rudy's Pizza, which recently celebrated the opening of its second city centre location, is working with Blackjack and Caribbean restaurant The Drop in Chorlton has paired with Alphabet.
Two highly decorated chefs come to the fore in the final two collaborations. Mary-Ellen McTague's new Chorlton venture, The Creameries, is teaming up with Rivington Brew Co (brewer Ben Stubbs pictured) and Marble Brewery will join with one88, the Whitefield restaurant owned by former Hilton head chef David Gale (below), who along with doyenne of beer writers, Melissa Cole will help curate the beer, a fresh pale ale perfect for summer barbecues.
“These collaborations have really got the juices flowing and we hope they’ll capture the spirit of innovation and commitment to quality that have fuelled exciting growth in both food and beer throughout Greater Manchester,” said Manchester Beer Week organiser Connor Murphy (pictured above in Marble).
“Beer is a perfect partner for food and we’re really grateful that some of the most respected restaurants from the region have signed up to help us prove that point.
“For too long the restaurant trade has defaulted to wine as its core drinks offer, largely because it has lazily followed tradition. Many places take great care in presenting excellent food using carefully-sourced ingredients, yet give little thought to the beer they serve alongside it.
“Beer is incredibly varied and, aside from the core elements of malted barley, hops and yeast, can be created using a wide array of ingredients, so it is versatile enough to pair with almost any dish.’’
To add a further element of collaboration, Manchester Beer Week is also teaming up with the Whitworth Art Gallery to get the region’s artist community involved in the initiative.
An appeal is being put out across Greater Manchester in a bid to find eight local artists to join each restaurant and brewery pairing.
These artists will create one-off pieces for use as the labels for each beer and the final artworks will be displayed as part of an exhibition at the Whitworth on Thursday, June 28. The pieces will also be auctioned to raise money for Manchester Beer Week's chosen charity, Mustard Tree.
Manchester Beer Week is Manchester's only city-wide beer festival, taking place between June 29 and July 8. Unlike most beer festivals, which take place in one specific venue, the third MBW will include a series of different events at venues across the city, including pubs, bars, breweries and restaurants.