Pioneering brewer to double capacity linked to increase in new clients

A Manchester brewer has outlined plans for expansion, including increasing production and recruiting new staff.

Manchester Union Brewery, a dedicated craft lager brewery, is eyeing up a move to larger premises as part of its plans to expand its brewing capacity and become the number one lager in Manchester.

More than 6,300 pints are currently produced each week, but this is set to increase by 50% to 9,500 by this Christmas, with an increased portfolio of stockists secured.

The introduction of three new brewing tanks installed at the current site on North Western Street, will enable the brewer to double its capacity to 12,672 pints per week, more than 650,000 per year, by spring 2023.

In the past few months the brewery has secured nine new stockists including multi-kitchen food and drink venue Exhibition, which has installed a huge tank in the venue for the lager, plus new deals with the likes of HOME, Cask, Bistro Marc in Stockport, The Mancunian and The Barking Dog in Urmston, leading to a 170% growth in volume from its tap distribution.

Since launching in 2018, Manchester Union Brewery has diversified its offering from its flagship Manchester Union Lager, introducing new beers including Bock, Alt, After Dusk and Scenes, and its new limited edition festbier, Oktober.

With its sights set on securing an expanded site in the next three years, the brewery also hopes to open its own city centre-based tap room to extend its events and consumer offering.

The in-house team is also set to grow in the coming months as they recruit more assistant brewers to help with the increased capacity as well as a full time salesperson to support growth plans.

Manchester Union Brewery is known for its unique brewing methods, using a technique called decoction mashing.

The result is a bold silky mouthfeel with a touch of caramel sweetness, followed swiftly with a hugely refreshing, dry and bitter finish from the central European hops.

The brewer said its method is so unique that it has attracted the interest of breweries all around the UK who are keen to visit to experience decoction mash brewing, with the potential for collaborations to create brand new craft beers.

Will Evans, co-founder of Manchester Union Brewery, said: “Our mission is to make Manchester Union the #1 lager in Manchester. When we first started, I think everyone thought we were mad to be brewing using the technique of decoction mash, but now everyone sees it as the holy grail of lager production.

“It’s through this technique that gives us the quality to stand out and build up an army of fans in Manchester. We’re looking forward to embarking on our ambitious growth plans to take Manchester Union Brewery to the next level with larger premises and state-of-the-art capabilities to create new quality flavours – without ever losing our Manchester swagger.”

Co-founder, Jamie Scahill, said: “It’s really exciting to see the growth of the brewery this year and into next. Lockdown was tough for everyone and it was a relief to get through to the other side, so to be doubling production is an achievement we are really proud of – 2023 is going to be a huge year for us.”