One of Manchester’s best-known breweries has announced its shock closure.
Alphabet Brewing Co. broke the news on social media on Friday after almost a decade of trade in the city.
The independent brewery was first founded in 2014, and was famed for its craft beers (and their pun-loaded names) like Juice Springsteen, A to the K, and Charlie Don’t Surf.
It also had one of the city’s best taprooms, ABC Taproom, on North Western Street, part of a stretch affectionately known as the Piccadilly Beer Mile.
Back in the days where street food was still a relatively alien concept, Alphabet and Grub teamed up to create one of Manchester’s most exciting operations.
But they’ve now devastated long-time fans and customers with the news that the brewery and taproom are to be no more.
Alphabet posted: “Today we have to announce the end of Alphabet Brewing Co.
“We’d like to thank everyone who drank a Juice Springsteen, popped down to the Taproom and supported us over the years. It’s been a wild ride.
“We love you all for making our dreams of having a lovely, independent brewery in Manchester come true. Cheers, Team ABC.”
It’s the latest in a string of devastating closures across Greater Manchester’s hospitality industry, which has included several other local breweries.
Beatnikz Republic announced its closure last year (its Northern Quarter beer bar has since been taken over by Squawk), as did Beer Nouveau.
The latter has even kept a tally of all the breweries closing, totting up 28 this year so far alone.
Hundreds have sent messages of support and sadness to Alphabet since they broke the news, sharing fond memories of how they paved the way for the city’s craft Brewers.
Grub commented: “We have been so sorry to hear this today. Thank you for the memories.”
One person wrote: “Ah FFS this one hits hard. One of the best craft breweries in Manchester, I really loved them. Flat White still undefeated in stout game and thier the taproom was great too. Gutted.”
Another said: “Terrible news. A big loss to not only Manchester, but the whole UK beer scene. Fingers crossed that the beers live on in some capacity, and the brewing team continue brewing too.”
Someone else tweeted: “A sickener seeing this place go to the wall. I’ve cried in here, got pissed up, listened to an excellent music playlist in here and drank some excellent beer. Sad times.”
Featured image: Alphabet Brewing Co
Eats
Manchester favourite Nell’s to open new site for New York-style pizza, karaoke and shuffleboard
Daisy Jackson
Much-loved New York-style pizza joint Nell’s has announced big plans for a brand new location – they’re heading to MediaCity.
Nell’s are stepping things up a notch with the move, adding in private karaoke booths, shuffleboard tables, and a huge outdoor terrace in their new site.
Nell’s MediaCity is set to open this autumn, promising 22-inch New York-style pizza (also served in gigantic slices), frozen margs, and ice cream sandwiches.
There are already several spots around Manchester where you can get a slice of Nell’s, including their restaurants at Kampus and in Altrincham, the OG Northern Quarter site in Common, and at The Beagle in Chorlton.
And now it’s Salford’s turn, with plans unveiled for the team to expand over to MediaCity’s quayside Orange Building.
Nell’s co-founder Jonny Heyes said: “We’ve been thinking about MediaCity for a long time, it’s such a great area and we’ve seen what brilliant operators like Kargo have achieved so when this space came up, we jumped on it!
“The venue is huge which has given us the chance to really play with the experience.
“This idea of karaoke and shuffleboard accompanying our made-for-sharing pizzas and great cocktails feels like a natural next step for us as a brand.”
Nell’s have also partnered with Deliveroo and Slerp to send 14-inch and 22-inch pizzas far and wide.
The new opening is expected to create more than 35 new jobs, and as Common & Co has twice been named in the Times 100 Best Places To Work list, you might want to check those out HERE.
These viral sensations are a plush toy created by Hong Kong-born, Netherlands-raised designer Kasing Lung, who drew inspiration from his love of fairytales to create a character with bunny-like ears, large eyes and big smiles.
They’re swinging off handbags all over the UK at the minute and people are queueing for hours for the latest Labubu drops.
At Sweet Dreams, they’re making edible chocolate Labubus using a special mould flown in from Japan.
Each one has a pistachio kunafa filling and is painstakingly painted by hand.
And that brings us neatly to the next viral craze at play here – Dubai pistachio chocolate.
An army of pistachio chocolate LabubuInside a chocolate pistachio Labubu
Kunafa is a staple in Middle Eastern bakes and pastries but hit the global mainstream last year when thick chocolate pistachio bars stuffed with it went viral online, spawning countless dupes and inspired specials.
And finally, chocolate covered strawberries – hardly a new invention, but this simple dessert has rocketed in popularity especially in food hotspots like Borough Market in London.
Head into Sweet Dreams and you can build your treat from the base up – choose white or milk melted chocolate for your strawberries, layer on pistachio kunafa, then top with either a milk or white chocolate Labubu.
A slightly daft novelty? Yes. But that doesn’t stop them being delicious.
This is the only place in the UK currently selling Dubai pistachio chocolate Labubus.
Daisy Jackson -
17th April 2023 
