Manchester has made a name for itself as a major beer hub in the UK, no small part down to the ‘beer quarter’ just behind Piccadilly Station, which is home to some of the region’s, if not the country’s best beer. With constantly evolving menus there are a lot to choose from, here are our top summer beers that have been released recently.
In no particular order, Manchester favourite Cloudwater is up first with a dual release called Desire and Surrender. Surrender is a DIPA (double IPA) hopped with Southern Cross & Citra, whilst Desire is another DIPA this time with Southern Cross & El Dorado. Both of these are fruity brews are perfect for drinking in the sun, but take it easy as these are both coming in at 8% ABV!
Brewing out of NOMA, Blackjack Brewery has just released a West Coast IPA called Round Are Way. This pine-tasting, amber-looking beer is perfect for beer connoisseurs with a tendency for bitter tastes. This one comes in at 6.5% and is available at The Smithfield Market Tavern, Mackie Mayor and online in mini cask form.
Another brewery working out of Manchester’s ‘Beer Quarter’ Track has just announced a new collaboration with San Diego based North Park Beer Co. Change The Time is the new summer beer that isn’t afraid to use acronyms with this TDH DIPA (Triple Dry Hopping Double Indian Pale Ale). As confusing as the can may look with words you didn’t know existed if you aren’t in the craft beer world, all you need to know is this beer is a tropical delight but as with Cloudwater’s don’t get carried away as the 8.2% ABV will sneak up on you quickly.
Paul and George have come a long way since selling home-brews at house parties whilst at Uni in Manchester. Since then, ShinDigger has grown and grown to be a firm favourite by Mancs. Summer is it’s not so new brew, but it is a returning brew after a winter hiatus. Now have you seen a more appropriate name , this fruity lager looks like summer in a glass. The first summer beer on the list that you can sink a few of and not go a bit blurry visioned at 4.8%, so make sure you do just that.
Sureshot has done a special collab with Hebden Bridge based Vocation for this new DDH IPA. I’ve Started So I’ll Finish stands at 6.5% and goes down a treat. You can buy this one now from the webstore or go and have a pint of it in the taproom down on Sheffield Street.
Finally, what’s a Manchester summer beer list without including the infamous Seven Bro7hers?! Now this one, like ShinDigger, isn’t a new brew but a returning one. The 5% ABV Pineapple Pale tastes like, you guessed it, pineapples and is perfect for BBQ season. If you want to get your hands on this one, rather uniquely its only available in ASDA or you can grab a pint at the taphouses across Manchester.