Six of Manchester’s finest independent food and drinks producers are teaming up with breweries to create a series of exclusive beers for this year’s Manchester Beer Week.
The initiative is designed to shine a light on the city’s burgeoning indie scene and the six exciting concoctions will be launched at a relaxed food and drinks fair at Runaway Brewery – former site of the popular Grub Food Fair – on Sunday, June 25.
Each team has been charged with creating a drink designed to reflect the unique approach and flavours of the producer involved.
The citrus botanicals favoured by Manchester Gin are set to shine in their collaboration with Manchester Brewing Co, a New England-style IPA brewed with fresh citrus peel. Meanwhile, Marble Brewery have teamed up with seafood trader Holy Crab for a langoustine and pineapple Gose – a sour and salty style that originates from Germany.
Runaway Brewery will attempt to recreate Pollen Bakery’s winning formula in a white oatmeal stout conditioned over whole coffee beans and cocoa nibs. This is inspired by Pollen’s oat porridge sourdough and their super rich chocolate brownies, washed down by a fresh coffee.
Cloudwater Brew Co and Afflecks-based ice cream parlour Ginger’s Comfort Emporium have produced a chocolate and salted caramel imperial stout, which will be served with vegan ice cream as a ridiculously indulgent beer float.
Waste fruit and herbs will add a unique twist to two IPAs – one with grapefruit and one with apricot and basil – created by Beer Nouveau and The Real Junk Food Project, the community interest company that is aiming to set up Manchester’s first food waste restaurant.
And the final collaboration is not a beer at all. Community-sourced cider producers The Moss Cider Project are producing a one-off, dry-hopped cider with Chorlton Brewing Co.
“This is one of the most exciting things to emerge from this year’s Manchester Beer Week because it’s really encouraging to see a variety of the city’s independent producers are so willing to work together to create something special for the people of this city,” said Connor Murphy, organiser of Manchester Beer Week.
“This idea grew from a chat with Mark Welsby, the brewer at Runaway, who suggested it would be interesting to break the usual mould of brewers collaborating with other brewers. Since then, it has taken a life of its own and has really helped to strengthen the sense of community and cooperation around the city’s independent beer and food scene.”
All the creations will be available on the bar at Runaway on June 25, between 12pm and 6pm, and food traders will be on site to serve up tasty treats throughout the day.
A series of tastings and talks will also be hosted by each collaborating duo to explain the inspirations and processes behind each drink.
Visit www.mcrbeerweek.co.uk for updates.