Some News…

We have made the difficult decision
that IMBC will not return for 2024. We’ve enjoyed TEN incredible festivals, working with some of the world’s best breweries. We want to say a monumentally HUGE thank you to all involved, and all who have come along to celebrate and support independent craft beer with us, in Manchester’s beloved Victoria Baths.

A word from IMBC founder, Jonny

The last 12 years have been an amazing journey, we’re proud to have brought something new and different to the craft beer market way back in 2012. 

 

It’s been a huge privilege to witness the UK craft beer scene blossom in front of our eyes, to work with so many fantastic breweries and witness their creativity, industry and growth.

 

I am humbled that lots of people have taken a great deal of joy and satisfaction from the little event that we’ve spent over a decade putting on. I am beyond chuffed that you chose to spend your time with us deep in the pool at the incredible Victoria Baths.”

We’ve had countless unforgettable top moments across the years, to name but a few…

Giving Victoria Baths the full IndyMan make-over each year. From big balloons (2014) banners and beyond, uncovering rooms taken over by breweries is all part of what makes the festival unique.

 

‘What the hell is craft beer?’ Our first major group discussion at IMBC (2012), leading the way for further talks on beer and the beer industry each year. 

 

Sensational Beer and Food Paired Dinners from Prestwich’s Aumbrey (2012) and Tim Anderson (2013)

Stand-out pours – Siren Craft Brew Vimto-inspired Beer (2016), Brasserie Fantôme Magic Ghost (2019), Other Half Brewing Double Magnum Bottles of Imperial Stout (2019), Omnipollo mini kegs and mad-science oil projections (2019), Lakes Brew Co 25-pour-only Oreo Cookie Imperial Stout (2023)

Who could forget that Buxton Brewery x Omnipollo Soft Serve?!

 

Wizard King legendary live entertainment (2017-2018)

 

The Thirsty Games, our competition to find the best new small breweries in the UK (2016-2019) – previous winners include ÖL Brewery, Liquid Light Brewing Company, Burning Soul Brewing and Fiveclouds Brew Co.

 

Wild Beer Co Giant Cheese Wheels (2016)

 

Siop Shop Donut Specials Collaborating with the likes of Craft House Coffee, Idle Hands Coffee, Bundobust, Track Brewing Co, DEYA Brewery, Cloudwater Brew Co and more.

 

Iconic Beer Trumps Hate’ Foam Fingers (2017) 

The Great Blackout of 2022.

 

Nightmare fuel in the form of Sureshot’s Mr Blobby (2022

)

 

IMBC Dedication Tattoos. They did wash off, eventually…(2023)

 

None of it would have been possible without the incredible breweries, the countless volunteers, the wonderful sponsors, the dedicated teams and even more dedicated attendees that rallied around the festival year in and year out. You helped build something beautiful down at the deep end.

Until we meet again…Cheers!

That was IMBC 2023

…it all feels like a dream now. Did it really happen? Were there really thousands of people drinking DIPAs down the deep end at Victoria Baths all weekend? Were hundreds of them in pink cowboy hats? Did Sureshot really bring a real life MILSON to the weekend? Who knows, who know.

Thanks again to all who turned up, and made this our favourite year ever. If you’re awaiting a refund, our team will be in touch with you by the end of the week to organise repayment.

For now, most of the IMBC team will be taking a well deserved rest – if you’d like to let us know how the festival was for you, we’d love to hear from you here.

Indy Man Beer City – IMBC 23 Fringe

What’s a festival without some fringe events, eh? In time honoured fashion, we’re proud to announce our the beer events around IMBC that will be taking place across the city over the course of next weekend.

These are independent of the festival, but are run in it’s spirit by people, places, bars, and breweries with a connection to Indy Man – and as such, this may not be a complete list. If you’re running an event and you can’t see it here, fill out this form here and we’ll get it added as soon as possible.

All Fringe event details also be available on our IMBC app all weekend long, Download it here for iOS, and here for Android.

Here you go – in no particular order, here are the Indy Man Beer City aka IMBC Fringe events you’ll be able to enjoy next week. No IMBC ticket needed (though the events themselves may be ticketed separately), but you can get one of the final tickets for the full festival by clicking here.

Plus, IMBC ticket holders get 25% off from Thursday to Sunday at our sponsor Nell’s sites – simply show your ticket at the bar, or present a flyer, and you’ll get a quarter off any big ‘za. Jackpot!


25% off pizza at all Nell’s sites
Thursday 5th to Sunday 8th
The Beagle, Common, Kampus

A quarter off all whole pizzas – well baked, well sauced, well good. They’re all about big ‘za and neighbourhood bars. That’s New York pizza (think thin crust you can pick up and fold, served in massive 14″ and 22″ formats) along with our signature ice cream sandwiches, served with craft beer, wine, and cocktails. nellspizza.co.uk


Bundobust 20% off
Thursday to Sunday
Bundobust Manchester sites
20% off all food and drink Thursday-Sunday for IMBC ticket holders (excludes combos and any other offers) both Manchester sites

Siren Tap Takeover w/ meet the brewer
Wednesday 4th
Sureshot Brewery
Siren takeover Sureshot’s taproom on IMBC eve – beer list to follow

About Siren:
Siren Craft Brew was born in 2013 with a simple idea in mind: to introduce exciting, full-flavoured and forward-thinking beers to as many people as possible.

There are now six Sirens of Siren Craft Brew. These Sirens characterise our flagship beers. They’re adventurous but drinkable, designed to be accessible to those lured into craft beer, yet flavourful enough for those seasoned beer fans to return to time and time again.

UK Mixed Fermentation Showcase
Thursday 5th – Saturday 7th
Balance Brewing & Blending

Balance are hosting a UK mixed ferm showcase Thurs 5th – Saturday 7th, with beers from Burning Sky, Kernel and Crossover

De La Senne Tap Takeover & tasting
Port Street Beer House
Friday 6th, 2pm
Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/de-la-senne-tasting-at-port-street-beer-house-tickets-728767060897?aff=ebdssbehomepeforyou&keep_tld=1

De La Senne head to Port Street to pour some of their best, tickets are £25 per person – along with a whole TAP TAKEOVER TOO, my word.

About Brasserie De La Senne:
The Brasserie de la Senne was born from a meeting in May 2002 between Yvan De Baets and Bernard Leboucq, during the second edition of the Zinneke parade in Brussels, for which Bernard had created, as an amateur, the now famous Zinnebir.

They began their career as professional brewers at the end of 2003, by building a microbrewery in Sint-Pieters-Leeuw, in the former Moriau brewery depot. They opted for the name “Sint-Pieter Brouwerij”. After two years of activity, with success, the premises became too cramped. They then decided to move and make their dream come true: settling in their city, Brussels. To mark the occasion, they gave their brewery the name of the river thanks to which the city was born, more than a thousand years ago: Brasserie de la Senne.

It took them five years before they could actually settle in the Capital. In the meantime, in order to continue production, they rented various breweries belonging to friends, where they brewed their beers themselves. These bohemian years culminated on December 22, 2010, the date of their first 100% Brussels brew!


Harvey’s & Ideal Day Showcase
Thursday 5th, 2pm – Sunday 8th, 11pm
The Smithfield Market Tavern

A showcase of cask beers from Harvey’s, one of the UK’s oldest breweries, & keg from Ideal Day, one of the newest. While over 200 years apart in age, these breweries share a lot in common, from a focus on high-quality local ingredients, to sustainable methods, & unique expressions of yeast in their beers.

Chapter Brewing Tap Takeover
Thursday 5th from 4pm
Piccadilly Tap

Chapter Brewing Tap Takeover Thursday 5th from 4pm Chapter Brewing is smashing its way through the canon of craft, creating beers inspired by the innovation and playfulness of the written word. At the brewery we dive into experimental works as well as having well-thumbed and ever-present favourites in our Library. They’re taking over Piccadilly Tap for IMBC

Thornbridge Spotlight
Thursday 5th to Sunday 8th
Bundobust Piccadilly

Bundobust and Thornbridge are launching their 5th cask collaboration – a delish session-able hazy pale. First pour at the festival and Piccadilly site from Thursday 5pm, with merch giveaways and some extra Thornbridge kegs to get into.

BEAK Tap Takeover
Thursday 5th and Friday 6th
Cafe Beermoth

Beak will be taking over Cafe Beermoth from Thursday, pouring some of their freshest and finest in the centre of town –

About BEAK – We are a small independent brewery and taproom in the historic brewing town of Lewes. We love making everything from hop-forward IPAs and best bitters to saisons and imperial stouts. We also have a mixed fermentation project centered around a 5,000 litre oak foudre, which we use to create beers that showcase ingredients from the surrounding South Downs National Park, including native hops, wild yeast strains and grain grown just down the road.

Cardinal Rules food pop-up trader
Thursday 5th – Sunday 8th
Cloudwater Brewery

AUTHENTIC CLASSIC
SOUTHERN AMERICAN
FRIED CHICKEN
& FLUFFY BISCUITS
The seeds for Cardinal Rule were planted in 2018 when we visited Manchester and loved everything it had to offer, but we missed a quintessential piece of home — the biscuit.

Where we’re from, a fluffy, buttery biscuit is the heart of the southern American breakfast table. No breakfast is complete without it, whether you’re piling on jam, topping it with gravy, or loading it up with bacon and eggs for a stick-to-your-ribs satisfying meal.

We’ve taken the time to perfect our biscuit with the help of our friends in Virginia and Texas and we can’t wait to share our joy, butter, and love with you!

Lefthanded Giant Tap Takeover
Thursday 5th til Sunday 8th
Vocation & Co Manchester

Left Handed Giant, a Bristol-based brewery, began in 2014 when Rich Poole shared his beer with Bruce Gray and Jack Granger at Small Bar. They evolved from a 200L kit into a thriving brewery with two sites, producing 4000 hL of beer annually, primarily available at their Finzels Reach Brewpub and St Philips Tap Room. Their unique identity stems from community ownership, and they’re working towards an employee buy-out, making them one of the UK’s few employee-owned breweries. Independence and creativity are central to their ethos, ensuring a lasting legacy for their brand. Vocation & Co Manchester

Neon Raptor Tap Takeover + Rare Fierce Beers
Thursday 5th October
Fierce Bar Manchester

Neon Raptor Tap Takeover (7 lines) & Pre-Release and old and rare Fierce beers

Verdant Tap Takeover w/ meet the brewer
Thursday 5th
Verdant head to Sureshot’s taproom for a Thursday night takeover.
Sureshot Taproom

About Verdant:
Adam and James were homebrewers who loved hop-forward beers. They weren’t easy to find locally so in 2014 they started Verdant to make their own. Rich joined in 2016. With a little help from other craft brewers and friends, out poured juicy, hoppy, unfiltered hazy Pales, IPAs and DIPAs, and the brewery thrived thanks to like-minded drinkers everywhere. Being independent enables Verdant to stay ethical, sustainable, and keep pushing the boundaries of taste and quality.” Sureshot Taproom
Sureshot DIPA Launch Friday 6th DIPA launch from the dons at Sureshot, taking place at Sureshot’s taproom.

Sureshot Double Dipped Chip DIPA launch
Friday 6th
Sureshot Brewery

Timmy : What are you doing?

Sureshot : Excuse me?

Timmy : Did you just double-dip that IPA?

Sureshot : What?

Timmy : You double-dipped the IPA!

Sureshot : So?

Timmy : That’s like doubling the strength of a normal IPA! Look, when you make an IPA, just do one dip and END IT!

First pour of Sureshot’s latest DIPA, starring Superdelic, Mosaic, Nelson, & Citra, and a smooth 8%. Giddy up.

Kirkstall Brewery Tasting
Friday 6th, 7.30pm
The Beagle, Chorlton
Kirkstall head to Chorlton to let South Manchester sample their supreme ales.

About Kirkstall:
At Kirkstall we continue a legacy of brewing left by the Cistercian monks of Kirkstall Abbey and the Kirkstall Brewery Company of 1833-1983. Our own beginnings as Vertical Drinks, importing the likes of Sierra Nevada, Odell and Stone since 2003, allowed us to learn from the masters before starting our own brewery in 2011.


Abyss Brewing Takeover
Friday 6th October from 4pm
Station Hop Levenshulme

Eight beers pouring from Lewes finest with a good selection of cans.

ABYSS, a progressive microbrewery, originated in the cellar of The Pelham Arms, Lewes, in 2016. Crafting a range from dark to light, they create modern beers bursting with personality. In 2020, they triumphed in the BREW LDN Accelerator Competition, besting 19 other emerging breweries. Later that year, a successful Crowdfunder paved the way for the ABYSS Brewery + Tap on the opposite side of Lewes, debuting in October 2021. Their belief in beer’s unifying power fuels their dedication to collaboration, both in brewing and with the local creative community and charities. ABYSS boasts an impressive list of collaborations with breweries like Burning Sky, Partizan Brewing, Rivington Brewing Co, and more, while also hosting captivating monthly events such as ABYSS EQUINOX and ABYSS Kayak Club.

Verdant TTO
Friday 6th October
Bundobust Brewery, Oxford Road

Bundobust Brewery is hosting a lineup of Verdant Brewery’s finest keg and cask all weekend.

Cloudwater Brewery Tour & Tasting
Saturday 7th 10:45 AM – 12:00 PM
https://www.ticketweb.uk/event/cloudwater-brewery-tour-tasting-cloudwater-brew-co-tickets/13379448
Sunday 8th 12:00 PM – 1:15 PM
Tickets: https://www.ticketweb.uk/event/cloudwater-brewery-tour-tasting-cloudwater-brew-co-tickets/13379498
Cloudwater Brewery

Come and join us in the heart of our brewery for an introduction into our work & ethos, a tour of our brewery, and a tutored tasting.

What’s Included?

  • 4 pours of our freshest beer.
  • A tour of our brewery.
  • A tutored tasting.
  • The opportunity for Q&A.


Little Sri Lankan Supper Club & Beer Pairing
Saturday 7th October
£40pp
Cloudwater Brewery
Tickets: https://shop.cloudwaterbrew.co/collections/events/products/copy-of-cloudwater-x-the-little-sri-lankan-supper-club?variant=40285130588240


Starters

Egg Roll, Archies Chilli Sauce
Potato Roll, Archies Chilli Sauce (Vegan Option)
Main
Pork Curry, Samba Rice , Parippu, Fennel & Beetroot Salad, Kale Mallung
Squash, Mustard & Coconut Curry, Parippu, Samba Rice, Fennel & Beetroot Salad, Kale Mallung (Vegan Option)
Dessert
Chocolate Biscuit Pudding, Cocoa Nib Tuille
(Vegan Option Available)

Cloudwater Camera Club
Sunday 8th October 12-4 pm
Cloudwater Brewery

Cloudwater Camera Club: open to all ages, all levels of experience from amateurs to professionals, and to anyone who enjoys taking photographs on their camera or phone.

Join us at the Cloudwater Unit 9 Taproom at 12pm on Sunday the 8th of October, to register to take part, and we will present you with the theme for the day. Your challenge is then to get out and about in Manchester and to take photos within the constraints of the theme. You can interpret the theme in any way you like but try to be original and creative. It sounds easy but is actually quite challenging – in a good way!

Come and meet other creatives, give yourself a challenge, and stretch your creativity. When you have completed the challenge, return to the taproom before 4pm with your best photo selected, and ready to submit. You can use a phone or camera to take your photos – the choice is yours.

Food & Non-Beer at IMBC!

IMBC is nearly here (less than a week to go until doors open, eek), and one of the most CONSISTENT questions we get in the lead up is – who is doing food this year? Well, wonder no more my hungry friends – here’s our line-up for both food vendors, and – for those of you who want to chill out with a soft or pep yourself up with a coffee – our non-beer vendors too.
Final IMBC tickets available here, which will allow you to sample some (or all) of the below.

Introducing –
Bundobust @bundobust
Indian street food heavyweights Bundobust will be offering four of their iconic dishes, including their infamous Vada Pav, of course
Triple B @triplebagels
Bringing a slice of the Big Apple to IndyMan with their bagels, burgers and loaded fries
_
Döner Summer @donersummer
Vegan goodness inspired by the street food of Berlin
Little Bao Boy @littlebaoboy
Fluffy, homemade bao buns and Asian food with a contemporary twist
Great North Pie @greatnorthpieco
Award winning pies, THE perfect accompaniment to your chosen beverage
A staple offering at IMBC – really good Neapolitan style pizza using the best quality ingredients
Nell’s @nellspizza
Nell’s are providing a taste of cold, cold heaven in the form of their signature Ice Cream sandwiches
Siop Shop @siopshop
Coffee and Martinis from Northern Quarter legends Siop Shop.
Hip Pop will be on hand with their award winning, gut lovin’ beverages PLUS alcoholic Kombucha slushies!

Talks & Tastings

A staple of IMBC, we’re today pleased to announce our list of tastings and – new for this year – Pellicle Podcast talks, with tickets on sale right now for each.

Tickets for each tasting are £9 (a price freeze on last year) and include all your drinks in that tasting (typically, three pretty special drops – but this will vary depending on the tasting), and are only valid if you’re already attending that session. That point also goes for Pellicle Podcast recordings – attendance for those are free, but tickets are available for those who want to guarantee their space: there will also be walk-up space available for the Pellicle talks.

Below is your schedule, including ticket links –


Thursday

Pellicle Podcast – HOW DOES THE BEER INDUSTRY NAVIGATE A COST OF LIVING CRISIS?
Host: Jonny Hamiliton Guests: Philip Sisson (Simple Things Fermentations), Toby McKenzie (Redwillow), Julie O’Grady (Neptune)
4pm, trade sessioners only, underneath the Turkish baths, Free entry
Tickets: https://www.universe.com/events/thursday-pellicle-podcast-beer-cost-of-living-crisis-trade-only-tickets-XJHKC9

Beer is often framed as a “drink of the people” — an affordable, accessible product that’s easy to be enjoyed by many. The reality is that with the increasing cost of beer, often driven by the cost of raw materials, equipment, staffing costs, and not to mention some of the highest tax rates in the world, beer in the UK is getting less accessible. How egalitarian is beer, really, when those who make and sell it can afford to enjoy the latest, and most exciting beer releases for themselves?

In this session, hosted by Pellicle co-founder Jonathan Hamilton, we will look to explore the drivers behind the increasing cost of beer, and how this is potentially creating a barrier in terms of accessibility. How do we ensure that price doesn’t become an obstacle in the way of making beer more open and inclusive, as the industry collectively tries to figure out how to ensure that beer is there for all of those who wish to enjoy it?

Cloudwater tasting
7pm, Warehouse, £9 entry, 30 tickets
Tickets: https://www.universe.com/events/thursday-cloudwater-tasting-tickets-YJ8SBL

A tasting event run by our friends and Manchester legends Cloudwater – details on exact beers & styles to be confirmed, but expect some bangers.


De La Senne tasting
8pm, Warehouse, £9 entry, 30 tickets
Tickets: https://www.universe.com/events/thursday-de-la-senne-tasting-tickets-SRGV3M

One of this year’s international brewers, we’re making the most of having De La Senne on board for 2023. Known for innovating and playing within Belgian beer heritage, this tasting will reflect their unique place within the industry, and is not to be missed.

Friday Day

Pellicle Podcast – AN OPEN DISCUSSION ABOUT SUSTAINABILITY IN BEER
Host: Katie Mather Guests: Jonny Heyes (IMBC), Ben Stubbs (Rivington), +TBC
1pm, underneath the Turkish baths, Free entry
Tickets: https://www.universe.com/events/friday-day-pellicle-podcast-sustainability-in-beer-tickets-7GF1Y8

How sustainable is making beer, really? We’re often presented with marketing and press releases that tell us how good for the planet certain beers are. They could be brewed with leftover bread, or the brewery could be offsetting their carbon footprint by planting trees. Some breweries are even accredited by organisations such as B Corp, or the Soil Association, reinforcing their green credentials. Surely, beer, and the production of, doesn’t have that much of an impact on the planet?

It’s time to have an honest conversation about sustainability in beer. As a product reliant on industrially farmed products such as wheat, barley and hops — some of which are shipped thousands of miles before they’re used in brewing — beer has a long way to go before it can truly be considered sustainable. In this discussion we’ll discuss what beer, and its drinkers, can do to be more environmentally responsible. We’ll also look at some key future trends that could impact this, such as regenerative agriculture, and bottle/can deposit return schemes.


Cloudwater tasting
1pm, Warehouse, £9 entry, 30 tickets
Tickets: https://www.universe.com/events/friday-day-cloudwater-tasting-tickets-4J5Y3S

A tasting event run by our friends and Manchester legends Cloudwater – details on exact beers & styles to be confirmed, but expect some bangers.

Farm Yard tasting
2pm, Warehouse, £9 entry, 30 tickets
Tickets: https://www.universe.com/events/friday-day-farm-yard-tasting-tickets-4JTZQG

Producing a wide variety of beers, from traditional to juiced up progressive stuff, Farm Yard will be leading us through their best and brightest in this session.

Friday Evening

Balance Brewing & Blending tasting
7pm, Warehouse, £9 entry, 30 tickets
Tickets: https://www.universe.com/events/friday-evening-balance-brewing-blending-tasting-tickets-6P250Q

Balance Brewing & Blending specializes in crafting mixed-culture, barrel-fermented beer in the vibrant city of Manchester. The brewery’s primary objective is to highlight the exceptional quality of British ingredients by reimagining beloved historical brewing styles and techniques in a contemporary context. They’ll be pouring some of their favourites and special bottles in this tasting.


De La Senne tasting
8pm, Warehouse, £9 entry, 30 tickets
Tickets: https://www.universe.com/events/friday-evening-de-la-senne-tasting-tickets-ZJQM5V

One of this year’s international brewers, we’re making the most of having De La Senne on board for 2023. Known for innovating and playing within Belgian beer heritage, this tasting will reflect their unique place within the industry, and is not to be missed.

Saturday Day

Pellicle Podcast – INTERVIEW AND Q&A WITH DAVID JESUDASON, AUTHOR OF DESI PUBS
Host: Matthew Curtis
1pm, underneath the Turkish baths, Free entry
Tickets: https://www.universe.com/events/saturday-day-pellicle-podcast-qa-w-david-jesudason-author-desi-pubs-tickets-DB1C9G

Released to critical acclaim in May 2023, Desi Pubs is a guide to the British-Indian pubs that have sprung up throughout the UK since the 1960s. It’s author, David Jesudason, spent months travelling the length and breadth of the country, not only to visit as many of these pubs as possible, but to also unpack the idea of the British pub as an institution, and how Desi Pubs have built on this, as various communities have sought to create safe, inclusive spaces for themselves.

At this session David will join Pellicle co-founder Matthew Curtis for an in depth chat about the book, as well as some deeper topics, from inclusivity and accessibility in beer and pub culture, plus some lighter ones, such as where to find the best mixed grills! David will be available for a Q&A after the interview, and will be selling and signing books too.

De La Senne tasting
2pm, Warehouse, £9 entry, 30 tickets
Tickets: https://www.universe.com/events/saturday-day-de-la-senne-tasting-tickets-4Y658S

Recent stars of the scene, Mills Brewing are known for brewing and blending naturally fermented beers with minimum modern intervention. Using spontaneous fermentation and locally collected cultures, they’ll be showcasing their fine work in this tasting

Mills Brewing tasting
3pm, Warehouse, £9 entry, 30 tickets
Tickets: https://www.universe.com/events/saturday-day-mills-brewing-tasting-tickets-V6XYSL

One of this year’s international brewers, we’re making the most of having De La Senne on board for 2023. Known for innovating and playing within Belgian beer heritage, this tasting will reflect their unique place within the industry, and is not to be missed.

Saturday Evening

Cloudwater tasting
7pm, Warehouse, £9 entry, 30 tickets
Tickets: https://www.universe.com/events/saturday-evening-cloudwater-tasting-tickets-BX87ZD

A tasting event run by our friends and Manchester legends Cloudwater – details on exact beers & styles to be confirmed, but expect some bangers.

Mills Brewing tasting
8pm, Warehouse, £9 entry, 30 tickets
Tickets: https://www.universe.com/events/saturday-evening-mills-brewing-tasting-tickets-3L51VN

Recent stars of the scene, Mills Brewing are known for brewing and blending naturally fermented beers with minimum modern intervention. Using spontaneous fermentation and locally collected cultures, they’ll be showcasing their fine work in this tasting

Sunday

Pellicle Podcast – THE GREAT CRAFT BEER DEBATE 2023
Host: Matthew Curtis Guests: Cath Potter (CAMRA), James Campbell (Sureshot), Lauren Soderberg (Port Street Beer House)
2pm, underneath the Turkish baths, Free entry
Tickets: https://www.universe.com/events/sunday-pellicle-podcast-the-great-craft-beer-debate-2023-tickets-60WKLQ

“An IMBC staple returns, this time helmed by Pellice Magazine’s co-founder, and author of Modern British Beer and the forthcoming guide Manchester’s Best Beer, Pubs & Bars, Matthew Curtis. A decade ago, ‘craft beer’ was the most exciting thing since sparkled pints. Inspired by a brewing revolution that occurred in the United States, it fundamentally changed brewing in the UK, with thousands of new entrants eager to take part in this exciting category.

Or did it? What if the very idea of craft was, in fact, rooted in what long time beer enthusiasts have known all along: that good beer is exciting, delicious, and a thing to be cherished. In this years IMBC Great Craft Beer Debate we’ll ask if it’s finally time to drop the C-word forever, and instead focus on the fact that all beer, weather its made by a brewery that’s 200 years, or 2 months old, deserves to be cherished and celebrated for what it is: the delicious, social glue, that binds so much of British communities and culture together.”


Mills Brewing tasting
2pm, Warehouse, £9 entry, 30 tickets
Tickets: https://www.universe.com/events/sunday-mills-brewing-tasting-tickets-BWK24J

Recent stars of the scene, Mills Brewing are known for brewing and blending naturally fermented beers with minimum modern intervention. Using spontaneous fermentation and locally collected cultures, they’ll be showcasing their fine work in this tasting

BEAK tasting
3pm, Warehouse, £9 entry, 30 tickets
Tickets: https://www.universe.com/events/sunday-balance-brewing-blending-tasting-tickets-BCX2V1

Beak began life as a nomadic project run by food and drink writer Daniel Tapper, who spent several years honing his recipes with friends at some of the UK’s greatest breweries, including North Brew Co, Burning Sky and Northern Monk. The project has since laid roots in the East Sussex town of Lewes where it also runs an award-winning taproom and street-food canteen. Though best known for its hop-forward IPAs, the brewery has established a small but growing mixed-fermentation project, showcasing seasonal ingredients sourced from the surrounding South Downs National Park.

Second wave of breweries announced for IMBC 2023

We’re hyped beyond belief to announce our second wave of IMBC breweries, and we can wait to try what each of them will be pouring across the 4 days of IMBC. We’ve a small amount of names to add before the festival, as well as other important stuff to announce – tastings, talks, food vendors, pop-ups, the beers that we’ll be pouring across the weekend, and all that other interesting stuff, but for now – please welcome to the stage your second wave of IMBC 2023 breweries –

All Sessions – 
Blackjack @blackjackbeers (Manchester, UK)
Bundobust Brewery @bundobust (Manchester, UK)
Cloudwater @cloudwaterbrew (Manchester, UK)
Farmyard Brew Co @farmyardbrewco (Lancaster, UK)
Howling Hops @howlinghops (Hackney Wick, UK)
North Brewing @northbrewco (Leeds, UK)
Queer Brewing @queerbrewing (London, UK)
Rooster’s @roostersbrewco (Harrogate, UK)
Salt Beer Factory @saltbeerfactory (Saltaire, UK)
Sureshot @sureshotbrew (Manchester, UK)
Thornbridge @thornbridge (Derbyshire, UK)
Zapato @zapatobrewing (Marsden, UK)
Thursday and Friday Exclusive Breweries – 
Anthology Brewing Co @anthologybrewco (Leeds, UK)
Saturday and Sunday Exclusive Breweries – 
Futtle @futtleorganic (Fife, Scotland)
Phantom @phantombrewco (Reading, UK)
RedWillow @redwillowbrewery (Macclesfield, UK)
Vibrant Forest @vibrantforest (Hampshire, UK)
This adds to the previously announced –

All Sessions –

Sierra Nevada @sierranevada (California, USA)
Lakes Brew Co @lakesbrewco (Kendal, UK)
Beak @beakbrewery (Lewes, UK)
Verdant @verdantbrew (Penryn, UK)
Siren @sirencraftbrew (Berkshire, UK)
Rivington @rivingtonbrewco (Rivington, UK)
Pomona Island @pomonaislandbrew (Salford, UK)
Brasserie De La Senne @brasseriedelasenne (Brussels, Belgium)
Hogan’s Cider @hoganscider (Warwickshire, UK)
Kirkstall Brewery @kirkstallbrewery (Leeds, UK)
Yonder @brewyonder (Somerset, UK)
Triple Point @triplepointbrew (Sheffield, UK)

Thursday and Friday Breweries –

Fell @fellbrewery (South Cumbria, UK)
DEYA @deyabrewery (Cheltenham, UK)
Pastore @pastorebrewing (Cambridge, UK)
Drop Project @dropprojectbrew (London, UK)
Fierce Beer @fiercebeer (Aberdeen, Scotland)
Chapter @chapterbrewing (Runcorn, UK)
Neptune @neptunebrewery (Liverpool, UK)
Simple Things Fermentations @stfermentations (Glasgow, Scotland)
Two Flints @twoflintsbrewery (Windsor, UK)
Track @trackbrewingco (Manchester, UK)
Talking Tides @talkingtides (Marske, UK)

Saturday and Sunday Breweries –

Double Barrelled @doublebarrelledbrewery (Reading, UK)
Squawk @squawkbrewingco (Manchester, UK)
Left Handed Giant @lefthandedgiantbrewing (Bristol, UK)
MakeMake @makemakebeer (Portsmouth, UK)
Tommie Sjef @tommiesjef (Den Helder, Netherlands)
Manchester Union @manchesterunionbrewery (Manchester, UK)

Accessibility & Inclusion at IMBC

At IMBC, being both accessible and inclusive are two of our highest priorities – we’re pleased today to confirm our policies for both Inclusion (click here) and Accessibility (click here) at IMBC 2023.

If you have any comments, questions or suggestions, then email our Festival Coordinator and Inclusion Lead, Becca, at [email protected].

🎶ENTERTAINMENT & MUSIC AT IMBC!🎶

This year we’re featuring all vinyl sets from notable Manchester DJ’s & icons. Taking a three-hour-long deep dive into their record collections, expect an eclectic mix of tunes from…
@andreaac
@j3nnag
@lena_y_a_c
@living_room_dance_club
Matthew Rothery
@pops_roberts

Members of @theuntoldorchestra @malihayes, Will Jaquet & @yemi_bolatiwasoul will be performing covers to both soothe your soul and bring the party. Steel pan sensation @zolatec takes to the stage, plus the wonderful Jimmy Stuttard on the saxophone 🎷

We also have a stellar line-up of *even more* DJ’s to digitally soundtrack your session…
@atalayafuego
@hannah_ogorman_
@katbrownsugar
@keltoi_isaac
@megustacollective
@djrichreason
@zeyla__
Rudy Mead

Alongside all of this, pop-up quizzes by @quizzedbycooper, @hrhlill will be reading your future in our pool-side pop-up tarot booth and @haus_ofglitter will be on hand with the face paint 🔮

See you at the Baths, it’s gonna be a good ‘un!