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The Top 10 Breweries in Manchester For Beer-rilliant Brews and Hoppy Endings!
When in Manchester, it’s easy to hop, skip, and find a pint. The bustling beer culture in our city offers a variety of classic and modern flavours that taste like bliss with every sip.
I’ve spent most of my adult life popping from one brewery to the next, so I know where to find top-notch spots that focus on proper pints and cracking times. For you lot who would rather spend a day with a cold glass than sulking at home, this one’s worth a read.
Time to head out the door, only after you’ve read Manchester’s must-visit breweries, a curated list by my team and me, who all love good beer. Go ahead and sip the best brews!
Track Brewing Co.
– Media credit: trackbrewingcotaproom
Address: Unit 18, Piccadilly Trading Estate
Contact: 0161 5363975, [email protected]
Hours:
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday – Thursday: 2 pm – 10 pm
- Friday – Saturday: 12 pm – 10 pm
- Sunday: 12 pm – 8 pm
Pricing: ££
Once you hop inside Track Brewing Co., you’ll be greeted by an industrial-style space with massive vessels. This Manchester brewery has a very welcoming atmosphere, where you can watch the brewing process while sipping your favourite draught.
The huge selection of beers will delight brewski buffs, all while grabbing a pizza from Slice Culture—beer + pizza = perfect combo! There are 20 keg lines and a couple of cask lines at the ready, consisting of IPAs, lagers, stouts, and more.
Brewery tours are exciting here, as the behind-the-scenes experience includes a detailed walkthrough of the whole process. It’s especially brilliant with the sampling of four beers, among them freshly pulled from the tank.
| Pro Tip: Book your brewery tour ticket online because walk-ins aren’t allowed. |
Sureshot Brewing
– Media credit: sureshotbrew
Address: 5 Sheffield St
Contact: 0161 399 2087
Hours:
- Monday – Tuesday: Closed
- Wednesday – Thursday: 5 pm – 10 pm
- Friday – Saturday: 12 pm – 11 pm
- Sunday: 2 pm – 8 pm
Pricing: ££
Located under the railway arches, Sureshot Brewing is THE place for fresh options. This 8,000 sq ft brewery doesn’t just stick to classic pints, as it offers something new to the taps by producing new varieties and shaking up the usual brewing techniques.
The taproom? A cracking spot. It’s simple yet cool, offering a lovely vibe for catching up with mates, or when you fancy a cold pint after a day at the office.
Fridays are absolute ace, as fresh drops are up for grabs, as well as exclusive offerings straight from the taproom, from fresh to robust styles. And on the first Sunday of the month, hopheads can gather round for board games.
| Pro Tip: Have a quick look at the calendar on the website to see all the happenings, including pop-ups and DJ guests. |
Irwell Works Brewery
– Media credit: irwellworks
Address: Irwell St, Ramsbottom, Bury
Contact: 01706 825019, [email protected]
Hours:
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday – Thursday: 12 pm – 11 pm
- Friday: 12 pm – 11:30 pm
- Saturday: 11 am – 11:30 pm
- Sunday: 11 am – 10 pm
Pricing: £
This Bury brewery is nothing but lovely, serving up the classic Victorian style with a nod to subtle modernity. The 1888 building, with a wooden bar, barrel table, touches of greenery, and bright space, adds an overall welcoming vibe.
This one’s on the smaller side, but the bevvies are banging. It’s home to award-winning beers, including the milk stout Marshmallow Unicorn, which is basically beer made with milk.
Oh, and take-home beers don’t stop at six-packs. It offers brews in generous pours for a drink at home, available in 5, 10, and 20 litre bags stored in boxes.
| Pro Tip: Take a peek at the brewery’s Facebook page to see the events. There are live performances and open mic nights you might want to be a part of. |
Cloudwater Brew Co
– Media credit: cloudwatertaproom
Address: Arbry House – 7-8, Piccadilly Trading Estate
Contact: +44 161 6615943, [email protected]
Hours:
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday – Thursday: 3 pm – 10 pm
- Friday – Saturday: 12 pm – 10 pm
- Sunday: 12 pm – 7 pm
Pricing: ££
Cloudwater Brew Co is an independent brewery that offers a good bunch of beers for aficionados and casual drinkers, ranging from classic styles to modern brews and freshly crafted pints.
The whole process is sorted on-site, making brewery tours in-depth. Guests can expect beer sampling and hearing about fresh insights and inside scoops, including tidbits on how new varieties are produced.
At the taproom, street food will accompany your beers. For three days every week, a food trader will be popping in to serve delicious grub, from British favourites to global flavours.
| Pro Tip: If you want to discover new eats, visit the taproom from Friday to Sunday. You’ll also find adult-only and kid-friendly events on its Instagram. |
Balance Brewing & Blending
– Media credit: balancebrewing
Address: 10 Sheffield St
Hours:
- Monday – Tuesday: Closed
- Thursday: 5 pm – 10 pm
- Friday: 2 pm – 10 pm
- Saturday: 12 pm – 10 pm
- Sunday: 2 pm – 8 pm
Pricing: ££
One of the newest additions to Manchester’s brewery scene is Balance Brewing & Blending, which was founded in 2021. Nestled under Piccadilly’s railway arches, this spot solely creates mixed culture, resulting in unpredictable yet complex beers.
The results are brilliant, as each sip has balanced flavours. Every single beer is fermented for a year or so in oak wine bottles, and then crafted using ingredients from the UK.
It’s a spot in the city for a good old natter, seeing that the atmosphere is completely chill. As you sip your favourite beer, your view will include the stacked barrels where your frothy friend might have been aged.
| Pro Tip: The taproom has limited space, which means securing a table will be tough during busy hours. Book a table online with a minimum of 4 guests. |
Bundobust Brewery
– Media credit: bundobust
Address: St James Building – 61-69 Oxford St
Contact: 0161 511 8601, [email protected]
Hours:
- Monday – Thursday: 12 pm – 10:30 pm
- Friday – Saturday: 12 pm – 11 pm
- Sunday: 12 pm – 9 pm
Pricing: £££
Bundobust Brewery is a mash-up between beer and curry—yes, this delicious and popular Indian cuisine and a cold pint are a spot-on pairing. It started out small, with pop-ups here and there, and one glowing review helped it reach more audiences.
The brewery has nailed the right vibe, as the open-plan and glass ceiling bring in a lot of light for a more relaxed environment. It’s home to 9 tanks of its own beer, as well as some delicious guest beers and non-alc options.
It has earned recognition in the UK for its food and beer. Tuck into the Combo For 2 for a little bit of everything, such as Mung Bean Chatpata, Bundo Chaat, Bhajis, and Paneer Tikka. Pair it with a premium lager for a well-rounded bevvie.
| Pro Tip: Drop by the brewery right when it opens at noon to get seats close to each other, especially for groups. It has cafeteria-style seating, so expect to sit next to other customers. |
The Runaway Brewery & Taproom
– Media credit: runawaybrewery
Address: 9-11 Astley St, Stockport
Contact: [email protected]
Hours:
- Monday – Wednesday: Closed
- Thursday: 3 pm – 9:30 pm
- Friday – Saturday: 1 pm – 10 pm
- Sunday: 1 pm – 7 pm
Pricing: £££
Taste is the priority of The Runaway Brewery & Taproom. It focuses on crafting beers influenced by global flavours, yet keeps the classic British charm with every sip.
As a microbrewery, the beers come in small batches, yet the options are diverse, from ales to lagers. It offers 10 kegs and 2 casks, with a space that has a warehouse-style but elevated for a more contemporary ambience, like a comfy beer garden.
It’s easy to reach from the city centre, and is close to Stockport Station. It’s one of the breweries in Manchester that are actually open on Mondays for drinks, which is an ideal time to visit should you prefer a slow day, without all the chatter.
| Pro Tip: Bring your debit/credit card and ID with proof of age since this is a cashless venue and operates under the Challenge 25 policy. |
Seven Bro7hers Brewing Co
– Media credit: sevenbro7hers
Address: Salford Enterprise Centre – Unit 63 Daniel Adamson Rd, Salford
Contact: 0161 228 2404, [email protected]
Hours:
- Sunday – Thursday: Closed
- Friday: 4 pm – 8 pm
- Saturday: 12 pm – 8 pm
Pricing: £££
Tours are brew-tiful at Seven Bro7hers Brewing Co, a frothy spot in Salford that offers informative experiences, from its history to all the nitty-gritty of the beer-making process. It’s worth the money as well, considering you’ll sample six different kinds of booze.
The giant containers are front and centre! It adds a more personalised experience, honestly, since the brewing process is on display while you’re sipping a pint made in this brewery.
We suggest popping in during Brewbacks, a Saturday event when live music and street food accompany its frothy bevvies. There are no entry fees, given it’s all about good fun!
| Pro Tip: Brewbacks aren’t only available at the brewery. Check its socials for events at its other locations in Ancoats and Media City. |
The Gas Works Brewbar
– Media credit: thegasworksbrewbar
Address: 5 Jack Rosenthal St
Contact: 0161 236 3689, [email protected]
Hours:
- Monday: 4 pm – 11 pm
- Tuesday – Thursday: 12 pm – 11 pm
- Friday – Saturday: 12 pm – 12:30 pm
- Sunday: 12 pm – 9:30 pm
Pricing: ££
Situated at the Old Gaythorn Gas Works, this modern-slash-rustic brewery embraces the industrial heritage of Manchester. The Gas Works Brewbar combines old-world charm with modern accents, providing a unique display that celebrates beer culture.
It’s not your typical brewery, as it offers pub grub that will satisfy your tummy while having a drink and a natter. It’s bang on for unwinding after a long day because guests can play shuffleboard and darts, like an interactive pub.
The on-site brewery, sitting there for all to see, gives you a look at how the beers are made. Some drinks are served straight from the tank to the tap to glass, offering drinks in peak condition, with fresher taste and a more balanced feel.
| Pro Tip: Fancy a round on the shuffleboard or darts? Book your turn on the website to secure a slot. |
Green Arches
– Media credit: greenarchesbrewery
Address: 11 Red Bank, Cheetham Hill
Hours:
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday – Thursday: 4 pm – 11 pm
- Friday: 4 pm – 12 am
- Saturday: 12 pm – 12 am
- Sunday: 12 pm – 8 pm
Pricing: ££
Relatively new in the Manchester beer scene, Green Arches is an independent brewery that opened its doors in 2022. Being young doesn’t stop them from making good beer, as they’ve been seen out and about in a couple of pubs in the city.
The taproom itself is clean and spacious, with bits of greenery, all in all reminding you of a converted warehouse. There’s also a courtyard, should you prefer a pint under the sun.
The vibe? Pure fun and chill, sticking to cracking times, delightful chats, and proper pints.
| Pro Tips: During football season, drop by for live viewings. And keep an eye out for special events, like live performances and collabs for fab nights at the taproom. Follow its taproom Instagram for updates on special events. Some will require tickets, which you can purchase online, but most have free admission. |
