Indy Man Beer Con
As a shout out to beer lovers over the
peaks and a nudge to Sheffield beery folksters –
the Independent Manchester Beer (& Stuff) Convention is well worth a visit. Kicking off on October 10th it’s the second year of the event and is organised by the team behind Northern Quarter beer hotspots - Port Street Beer House, Common Bar and The Beagle in Chorlton.
Only a short ride away from Manchester city centre the convention is
housed in an outstanding Grade II listed Edwardian building, the Victoria Baths
was once the former swimming pools for the area. The stained glass and glazed
tiles have been slowly and lovingly restored providing a spectacular backdrop
to the main event – abundant bars set up dispensing cask and keg beer to the
thirsty crowds. Over 30 indie microbreweries are involved from those close to
home such as Thornbridge
and Magic
Rock in Huddersfield to London jiggery
pokery beer-magicians Beavertown and Toccalmatto, an Italian
brewery big on the flavours. If you make the trip over try sampling their
Imperial IPA Surfing Hop at 8.5% and as a night cap (or third pint measure) their
Dudes barley wine at 12%. Think progression,
experimentation and innovation at the heart of this four day beer celebration.
Refreshing to hear in addition to the
tasty beer selection – there’s a hefty list of events and seminars where you
can delve deeper into the workings of a micro brewer. Simply Hops
merchant have teamed up with Liverpool’s newest husband and wife microbrewery Mad Hatter Brewing Co.
to talk dry
hopping. RedWillow’s
owner and brewer Toby McKenzie will be running a tasting seminar to explore how
time and quantity of hops effects perceived bitterness, flavour and aroma of
the beer.
On the food front 2011’s Masterchef
winner Tim Anderson
curates beer and food focused meals on Friday and Saturday evenings served Teishoku
style; a Japanese fixed meal that’s served in different dishes on one platter.
Tim used to work at The Euston Tap
before winning Masterchef and his knowledge will be put to good use as he’ll be
pairing each dish with a different beer.
Keep your eyes peeled for the special beer convention collaborative
brews from Manchester’s Marble Brewery,
Stockport’s Quantum Brewing
Co, Buxton
and Knaresborough’s Rooster’s Brewing.
For tickets and more details on the
events head over to: www.indymanbeercon.co.uk / @indymanbeercon.
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