Manchester is home to a growing number of breweries, and more and more are choosing to open their doors to allow punters to drink beer right from the source. If I find myself in Manchester city centre on a Saturday, I generally end up in a brewery. As a regular brew tap visitor, I thought I’d pull together a small guide to what you can expect from each Manchester brewery tap, their locations and their opening hours. (Published June 2017, updated July 2019)
Green Quarter
Beatnikz Republic
Update: Beatnikz Republic no longer have a tap room within their brewery, but now have a bar on Tariff Street in the Northern Quarter.
A newbie to Manchester, Paul moved up from London attracted by (among other things) the more affordable rent prices the city offers compared with the capital. Formerly a gypsy/cuckoo brewing outfit, the move up north has given Beatnikz Republic a permanent base and allowed them to open a tap room as well. It’s an L-shaped venue with a small bar which has beer, some soft drinks and some snacks available. Card payments are accepted with a beer costing about £3 for a 2/3.
Where is it? Unit 15 Red Bank Court, Green Quarter, Manchester, M4 4HF
When is it open? Beatnikz no longer open their brewtap but now have a bar on Tariff Street in the Northern Quarter.
Blackjack Beers
Blackjack are the pioneers of Manchester’s brewery tap culture and their events are always unmissable with a vibrant atmosphere. Seating is available both inside the brewery and in the large yard, and there are also street food traders at each event and a DJ. As well as their own beers, Blackjack also offer guest beers on keg and cask from some of their UK’s best breweries and there’s also wine, spirits and soft drinks available.
Where is it? 36 Gould Street, Green Quarter, Manchester, M4 4RN
When is it open? Every month in the summer – check their Twitter for dates and times.
Runaway Brewery
This is a fairly old picture – they’ve recently added a new mezzanine
The first home of Grub Food Fair, Runaway will now be opening up their doors every week to showcase their range direct from the brewery. They mainly focus on a range of core beers although they also do seasonal specials which are always worth sampling. Runaway have also kept up their links with Grub – they’ve created a house beer for their new site at Mayfield Depot.
Where is it? Unit 4 Millgate, Dantzic Street, Green Quarter, Manchester, M4 4JW
When is it open? Saturdays 12-8pm
Piccadilly
Alphabet Brewing Co
The last home of the Grub Food Fair ahead of their move over to Mayfield Depot, Alphabet Brewery have continued to open up on a Saturday even after the street food events organisers have decided to move on. It’s owned by the team who run Ply in the Northern Quarter and they serve their core range as well as a couple of specials at the brew tap. Soft drinks and wine are also available and card payments are also accepted.
Where is it? 99 North Western Street, M12 6JL
When is it open? Fridays 5-10pm and Saturdays 12-10pm.
Beer Nouveau
Located on North Western Street, Beer Nouveau offers cask and keg beer as well as bottles and, occasionally, beers from the the wood. The space is cosy with a fireplace and sofas set up, and a range of events take place including pop-up bars from other breweries and food events with the Open Kitchen MCR (formerly Real Junk Food Project Manchester). For non-beer drinkers, cider and mead from The Lancashire Mead Company are available, and both cash and card payments are accepted.
Where is it? 75 North Western Street, M12 6DY.
When is it open? Fridays 4-10:30pm and Saturdays 12-10:30pm.
Chorlton
Sour beer brewery Chorlton is a fairly compact brewery chock-full of interesting barrels and concoctions to check out. Owner Mike enjoys experimenting with creations including beer smoothies and is happy to talk you through his brews and is particularly knowledgeable about the science of brewing. Chorlton do host occasional vegan food events too – to go with their vegan beer.
Where is it? 69 North Western Street, M12 6DX.
When is it open? For special events – anything is publicised on their Twitter.
Cloudwater
Now known across the globe, Cloudwater are one of Manchester’s most popular breweries and one of the best places to try their brews is at their brew tap. Their previous brewery tap, the Barrel Store, was on Sheffield Street round the back of Piccadilly Station but they’ve now relocated to Unit 9, which is next door to the brewery. Read my full review of Unit 9 here.
Where is it? Unit 9, Piccadilly Trading Estate, Manchester M1 2NP
When is it open? Sundays-Fridays 3pm-10pm, Saturdays 10am-10pm.
Manchester Brewing Co
Manchester Brewing Co is one of the city’s newer breweries and is another Manchester brewery owned by a Paul! The space is well-designed with plenty of seating and there is also ping pong and table football are available. Beer wise, they were doing cans but now are focusing more on draught beer and have a wide range of their brews available to try. Although they were opening weekly, they now focus more on hosting private events and opening for special occasions.
Where is it? 66 North Western Street, M12 6DX.
When is it open? Usually only for special occasions and events, any events will be publicised on their Twitter.
Manchester Union
If you’re a lager fan, then Manchester Union is the place for you. They just focus on one thing and on thing only:their lager, Manchester Union lager. They open up their brewery weekly so you can try it from the source, and tours are also available. The bar is cashless so bring your card.
Where is it? 96D North Western Street, M12 6LJ
When is it open? Every Saturday 2-7pm.
Squawk Brewing Co
Squawk did very occasionally host a brew tap at their brewery (which I’ve never visited), but as of July 2019, they now have a taproom within a new cinema venture from street food events team Grub. It’s located on the fourth floor of the Crusader Mill on Chapeltown Street – a floor above Track. As it’s in the loft, it’s not the largest space but it has a few tables and chairs as well as some stools in the main bar area. They offer six keg beers and two cask options (although the cask beers weren’t on during our visit). Also worth noting that it’s a cashless bar.
Where is it? Crusader Mill, 64 Chapeltown Street, M1 2WQ
When is it open? Every Friday 3-10pm, every Saturday 12-10pm and every Sunday 12-8pm.
Track Brewing Co
Track previously ran regular events from their brewery near Piccadilly Station but have now taken up in Crusader Mill for their taproom. The third floor space is large and airy with a number of long tables as well as some smaller benches in front of the windows, and a table in the corner used by DJs. Twelve draught beers are available, beer served in either two-thirds, halves or thirds.
Pic from Beernomicon
Track have recently started canning their beers so there’s also a fridge stocked with some of these to drink in or take away. It’s a lively spot and always somewhere I enjoy visiting.
Where is it? Crusader Mill, 64 Chapeltown Street, M1 2WQ
When is it open? Every Thursday and Friday 3-10pm, every Saturday 12-10pm and every Sunday 12-8pm.
Wander Beyond
Wander Beyond is another brewery that doesn’t open its doors too often, but when it does it’s always worth a visit! They’re probably best known for their experimental imperial stouts but they do produce a wide range of styles and you can’t miss them thanks to their beautifully designed cans.
(This is quite an old photo)
Their beer is always on offer at The Knott if you want to try some of their beers on draught when the brewery isn’t open. When they do open their doors, expect a comfy and relaxed space – and there’s also a little side-room with a table tennis table.
I don’t have many images of Wander Beyond, so here’s Marv the dog getting papped in there
Where is it? 98 North Western Street, M12 6JL
When is it open? Very rarely – more likely in the summer months. Keep an eye on their Twitter for announcements.
The Ale in Kaleigh 
A good guy for beginners. Like you I have not yet been to Squawk. I have not been to Brewsmith either.
Are there a couple of cuckoo breweries?
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