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Ten of the best craft beers in Manchester

From pale ales to porters, we raise a glass the best craft beers in Manchester. Cheers!

Rob Martin
Written by Rob Martin
Contributor, Time Out Manchester
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Manchester is leading the way in the craft beer revolution with a huge number of craft breweries now making their home in the city. From the larger historic beer makers, to newer microbreweries based in railway arches, the huge variety of beers being created across Greater Manchester means there really is something for everything taste and always something new to sample. But if there is just too much choice and you need some hints and tips, we’ve picked out ten of the best beers made right here in Manchester to get you started.

Ten great craft beers in Manchester

Marble Brewery – Lagonda IPA (5 percent)

Marble Brewery – Lagonda IPA (5 percent)
Marble Brewery – Lagonda IPA (5 percent)
Rob Greig
Marble have been at the forefront of Manchester’s craft brewing scene since 1997 and are known for well-made beers and their simplistic branding and design. Lagonda, named after the luxury car brand, is an Indian pale ale with a balanced flavour and a quadruple addition of hops to give it its distinctive taste.

Five-Oh Brew Co – Farmhouse Stout (6.5 percent)

Five-Oh Brew Co – Farmhouse Stout (6.5 percent)
Five-Oh Brew Co – Farmhouse Stout (6.5 percent)
Rob Grieg
Prestwich-based microbrewery Five-Oh Brew Co is one of Manchester’s smallest but constantly comes up with innovative brews featuring full flavours. Farmhouse Stout has hints of chocolate with drinkers picking up tastes of spiciness, sourness or smokiness depending on their palates.
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Blackjack – Red Rye Saison (7 percent)

Blackjack – Red Rye Saison (7 percent)
Blackjack – Red Rye Saison (7 percent)
Rob Greig
Founded by ex-Marble brewer Rob Hamilton, Blackjack are one of Manchester’s most popular breweries. Their Red Rye Saison is a complex beer featuring tastes of liquorice and star anise, creating a spicy and dry flavour.

Marble Brewery – Chocolate Marble (5.5 percent)

Marble Brewery – Chocolate Marble (5.5 percent)
Marble Brewery – Chocolate Marble (5.5 percent)
Rob Greig
One of Marble’s most iconic beers, the award-winning Chocolate Marble is a smooth stout with coffee and liquorice flavours and a bitter finish. It’s brewed with a focus on chocolate malts to give it is distinctive taste.
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Track Brewing Co – Sonoma pale ale (3.8 percent)

Track Brewing Co – Sonoma pale ale (3.8 percent)
Track Brewing Co – Sonoma pale ale (3.8 percent)
Rob Greig
This English pale ale is an ideal session beer as it comes in at only 3.8 percent but has plenty of flavour to savour and enjoy. A golden colour with citrus tastes, it’s a refreshing beer and one to enjoy on either cask, keg or in bottle.

Chorlton Brewing Co – Ahtanum Sour (5.8 percent)

Chorlton Brewing Co – Ahtanum Sour (5.8 percent)
Chorlton Brewing Co – Ahtanum Sour (5.8 percent)
Rob Greig
With a focus on sour beers, Chorlton Brewing Co – who are actually based in Ardwick – are inspired by historic European ways of brewing. Ahtanum Sour is based on the traditions of Prussia and Saxony but uses modern hops. They say it’s like ‘drinking grapefruit in beer form’. We say it's a fruity number which should form part of everyone's five a day.
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Quantum – Imperial Buckwheat Stout (8.5 percent)

Quantum – Imperial Buckwheat Stout (8.5 percent)
Quantum – Imperial Buckwheat Stout (8.5 percent)
Rob Greig
Based in Stockport, Quantum were founded in 2011 and like to experiment with unique flavours and combinations. Their Imperial Buckwheat Stout is a smooth yet deep beer with coffee dominating the taste and a hint of sourness. It’s quite a low ABV for an imperial stout and although it can seem quite light in comparison to others, it definitely has a kick from the alcohol.

Runaway Brewery – American Brown Ale (5.7 percent)

Runaway Brewery – American Brown Ale (5.7 percent)
Runaway Brewery – American Brown Ale (5.7 percent)
Rob Greig
Brown ales may not be the trendiest of beers, but Runaway have got it spot on with this. Full of flavour and moreish, American Brown Ale is dark and malty with nutty hints but well-balanced with the addition of excellent hops.
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Beer Nouveau – Bottled Breakfast (4.9 percent)

Beer Nouveau – Bottled Breakfast (4.9 percent)
Beer Nouveau – Bottled Breakfast (4.9 percent)
Rob Greig
Another small Manchester brewery, Beer Nouveau have recently moved to a larger site due to an increase in demand. Bottled Breakfast is a malty dry stout with coffee flavours, this is much lighter than your traditional dark beer. As they say on the bottle ‘who says beer is for lunch or later?’

Cloudwater – Grisette (3.5 percent)

Cloudwater – Grisette (3.5 percent)
Cloudwater – Grisette (3.5 percent)
Rob Greig
A new brewery but with a team full of experience, Cloudwater launched with a bang earlier this year and focus on creating a range of seasonal, modern beers. Grisette is a light and low ABV version of a Saison. Crisp and fresh, it still manages to feature strong flavours despite its low alcohol content.
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