After Dusk Black Lager
Manchester Union Lager
A new addition to the line-up over at Manchester Union, this Black Lager is rather special – it’s actually based on an old 1390 recipe from Germany. Made using roasted hops, it leaves the lager with a smoky, chocolatey after taste and is refreshingly drinkable indeed. One of the best things about the beer is that it also shines a light on the city’s iconic music venues – driving awareness and support through special QR codes on the can. Word has it that it’s great with a little rum chaser too.
Old Ale Amontillado Barrel Aged
Marble Beers
The always reliable Marble have this outstanding ale available for delivery and if you’re a fan of complex flavours with a little bit of extravagance – this is the ale for you. A 2018 vintage that has been aged in sherry casks for 51 weeks, it leaves the ale with a depth and complexity that’s hard to find nowadays and is perfect served slightly chilled and with some form of posh cheese and crackers.
Mesmerism Triple IPA
Vocation
Okay so Vocation aren’t strictly Manchester-based, but what with all of the wet weather this week I suspect this Hebden Bridge brewery could do with as much help as possible. Not to mention their beers are truly excellent. You can choose any or all of their creations from their online shop but personally – their head-banging Tripe IPA is a must-try. It’s loopy juice but it’s delicious loopy juice – so be careful with this one.
Stripes & Pumps Dry Hopped Sour
Beatnikz Republic
It’s rather difficult choosing a favourite amongst the impressive selection over at the Green Quarter’s Beatnikz Republic, but I’ve picked their ‘Stripes & Pumps’ as the one you should definitely try. A dry-hopped sour, you’ll get crisp and sharp citrus and fruity tropical vibes – meaning this beer is impressively refreshing and endlessly drinkable.
Come Again Gill! DIPA
Cloudwater Brew Co.
Cloudwater are famed throughout the land for the quality of their DIPA beers, and this one – ‘Come Again Gill!’ certainly continues that fine tradition. This is beer of the highest quality – sweet, crisp and refreshing. We couldn’t ask for anything more.
‘Language Barrier’ Imperial Coconut Stout
Track Brewery
You can always expect a couple of things from an Imperial Stout. One is that it’ll be really strong, and this coconut number from Track certainly doesn’t disappoint on that front. At 12.5% you don’t need many of them to get merry, and you’ll get a “thick and luscious” mouthfeel thanks to the added coconut flakes and tastes of vanilla, coffee and cacao.
Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can’t We?
Thirst Class Ale
A “delicious mouth-puckering sour” now from the brewers at Stockport-based Thirst Class Ale and it’s one of my most favourite beers of 2020. A cranberry sour, it’s crisp, it’s refreshing, it’s sharp and above all – it’s perfect when teamed up with something spicy – preferably a hot curry on a Saturday night with 5 poppadoms and a massive Garlic Naan.
Cotton Clouds Craft Ale and Lager
Donkeystone Brewing
Donkeystone in Greenfield have created a couple of beers in conjunction with Cotton Clouds Festival, a yearly knees-up at the nearby Saddleworth Cricket Club. Available as both an Ale or a Lager, both are truly excellent, a fantastic sip and perfect for a warm summer evening. Considering we’re as far away from a lovely summer as is imaginable – you can still enjoy a tipple now, but just put ‘A Place in the Sun’ on the telly, crank the boiler up and enjoy.
‘Just To Wet The Whistle’ Köln-Style Beer
Alphabet Brewing Co
What’s a ‘Köln-Style Beer’? Well, it’s a hybrid of ale and lager, which is inspired by a brewing tradition pioneered in Cologne. It’s fermented like an ale but matured like a lager, meaning it’s hoppy but with a bit of gentle carbonation in there too. It’s super-drinkable, and I promise you’ll end up scoffing a fair whack of these in one go – so make sure you buy a case and not just one tin.
Different Gravy IPA
ShinDigger
There’s A LOT to choose from at ShinDigger, from their legendary Mango Unchained to one of the best IPA’s out there – their Shingri-La. But it’s this one, Different Gravy, which I suggest you get your hands on, if only because it might not be around forever. It’s a juicy IPA with a massive hit of soft tropical fruits – such as lychee and mango. It’s mega.
‘BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM’
Pomona Island
An Imperial Sloe, Raspberry & Blackberry Gose, at 10% ABV this bad boy isn’t pulling any punches and it’s jam-packed full of flavour. You get deep, bitter notes from the sloe berries, tart-ness from the raspberries and a rich, sweetness from the blackberries. A final flourish of sour salty-ness and you’ve just tasted one of the best beers in the world my friend.
Honeycomb Pale Ale
Seven Brothers
Easily one of the best beers that Seven Brothers have ever made, this Honeycomb Pale Ale should definitely be on your shopping list if you’re buying online. With subtle honeycomb flavours, it has been likened to a Crunchie bar, and so gets elevated to Top Tier almost straight away. It’s also not sickly sweet either so you can sip a fair few of these without ever feeling like you want to stop.
