Breweries

The latest brewery to open in the Trafford & Hulme area is also one of the smallest. Craftsman Brewery is located in the cellar of The Old Abbey Inn on Manchester Science park and at time of writing was brewing on a 100 litre plant - a little over half a barrel or 175 pints. The first test brew was completed in the middle of March with the first beer - an English Bitter in the Taylors Landlord style - going on sale at the pub on 4th April - and selling out in one night. Opening Times tagged along a week after the launch when local branch Trafford & Hulme were invited to the pub to sample the beers.

Head Brewer is Paul Scrimshaw who has a long history in the licensed trade ranging from wine trader to landlord - in the T&H area he's had stints at The Steamhouse in Sale and Lloyds in Chorlton, but this is his first foray into actually making the drinks. The tiny plant has been supplied by North Wales' Powell Brewing (www.powellbrewing.co.uk) who specialise in nano-brewery kit mainly for home brewers.

Bootleg Brewery has been hard at work getting beer production up to scratch, producing regular and consistent beers.
In this effort Erin has been supported by new owners, Holt’s, and their pub specialist, Lloyd. He has been a sound source of advice and back-up. Having the resources of a large brewery to hand has enabled Bootleg to refine the regular beers while developing new recipes with different hops.
Brewing twice a week to maintain supplies to the Horse and Jockey, beers are also being distributed to 3 other outlets. The current new beer, Lion’s Pride, is a one-off commission to celebrate the rugby, and is made solely with English hops. At 4.2% it is browner than other‘s in the range, bitter at first but with an underlying sweetness to the finish.
A wheat beer is being planned for the summer to follow on from the success of the recent Chorlton Spring. The wheat beer will be launched at Chorlton Beer Festival on 5/6^th July.