In a gutting bit of news, Indy Man Beer Con have revealed that they will not be returning for 2024 and that last year’s edition of the beloved local festival was their final outing.
Coming to an end after more than a decade of delighting beer fans around Greater Manchester, the North West and the UK as a whole across what they have now looked back on as “10 incredible festivals”, the organisers of Indy Man Beer Con are bringing their successful run to an end.
Following the announcement on Monday, 25 March, founder Jonny Heyes – one of the brains behind Common, Nell’s and Port Street Beer House – said, “The last 12 years have been an amazing journey”.
The independent beer and brewery convention confirmed the news on social media, admitting that it was a “difficult decision” but that they worked with “some of the world’s best breweries” and are full of gratitude to everyone who came through the doors and helped make the festival so popular.
We have made the difficult decision that IMBC will not return for 2024. We’ve enjoyed 10 incredible festivals, working with some of the world’s best breweries. We want to say a HUGE thank you to all involved, and all who have come along to support independent craft beer with us. pic.twitter.com/NQwOWPTBp3
Indy Man Beer Con has sadly come to an end after 12 years.
As per Beer Today, Heyes added: “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.
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“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.”
The festival went on to note highlights from down the years and urged previous festival-goers to do the same in the comments, citing instances such as the year of the giant cheese wheels, the ‘Beer Trumps Hate’ foam fingers from 2017 and those extremely stubborn temporary tattoos from last year’s festival.
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We’ve certainly created plenty of our own memories in our years attending the festival too, and if we had known 2023 was going to be the final one we certainly would’ve poured one out in its memory.
When the beer festival first started out.How far it’s come since then.Little did we know IMBC 2023 was to be the last. RIP. (Credit: Indy Man Beer Con (via IG/The Manc Eats)
Having made a home at the iconic Grade II-listed Victoria Baths in Chorlton-on-Medlock for four days every year, the Manchester beer festival truly was one of the most highly-anticipated events on the calendar and we’re are genuinely gutted to see it go.
Seeing the reaction from countless other fans online, it’s clear we’re by no means the only ones either.
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From one group of fellow beer lovers to another, thanks for the memories and we sincerely hope to see Indy Man Beer Con make a glorious comeback one day.
Featured Images — Indy Man Beer Con/The Manc Group
Eats
Inside Manchester’s new padel club with a Pot Kettle Black cafe and courtside cocktail bar
Daisy Jackson
Padel is the fastest-growing sport in the world, and it’s really picking up speed in Manchester now too with another city centre club opening this month.
The Pollen Club is a little different to the others, in that it’s fully undercover and protected from Manchester’s less-than-favourable weather.
And another thing that makes it a must-visit is the cafe attached to it – a third site for the beloved Pot Kettle Black.
The Pollen Club and Pot Kettle Black have both taken over a prominent city centre spot just off Deansgate, at the foot of the recently-opened Treehouse Hotel.
There are two state-of-the-art padel courts inside, with a mezzanine terrace for enjoy Pot Kettle Black’s offerings.
In summer, there are plans to launch a bar downstairs too, where you can sip spritzes courtside from loungers and swing seats.
The exciting new Manchester padel club will host pop up events, DJ takeovers and an extended evening food offering.
Pot Kettle Black are part of the new padel clubInside Manchester’s new padel club, The Pollen ClubPot Kettle Black are part of the new padel club
And even if you’re not heading inside The Pollen Club, Pot Kettle Black has a grab-and-go hatch facing onto Blackfriars Street, making their delicious coffees, sandwiches and pastries (from their own bakery Half Dozen Other) even more accessible.
Commenting on the opening of the new site, Pot Kettle Black co-owner, Mark Flanagan said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to have opened our third Pot Kettle Black site at The Padel Club. This achievement is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the team.
“After ten years in the city we’ve been enjoying seeing some familiar faces stopping by for a coffee and we can’t wait to get started on our programme of summer events!”
Insomnia Cookies is giving away FREE cookies to anyone with these two names
Emily Sergeant
Manchester’s late-night sweet treat spot Insomnia Cookies is dishing out freebies this week… but there’s a catch.
You have to be called one of two specific names to get one.
With the long bank holiday weekend upon us, those in-the-know will also have noticed that this Sunday isn’t just Easter Sunday, it also happens to be 4/20… and that means Insomnia Cookies is back with its ‘blazing’ £4.20 deal, giving you the chance to bag a box of four warm cookies while saving nearly £7 at the same time.
But even better still, if you happen to have either the first or middle name ‘Mary’ or ‘Jane’, then you can also get yourself a warm tasty cookie for free.
To mark both 4/20, and celebrate the launch of its newest strain of mouthwatering cookie, the Mary Jane, anyone called Mary or Jane can pop into either of Insomnia Cookies’ two Manchester city centre sites – Cross Street and University Green – show their valid ID with their name on, and walk alway with a cookie free of charge.
If you want to try the new Mary Jane cookie, then this limited-edition special is made up of a cookies n cream dough base, packed with rainbow sprinkles.
The freebie deal has been running all week, and you have up until 3am on Monday 21 April to take advantage of it.
Customers will be limited to one free cookie per day.
Insomnia Cookies is giving away free cookies to anyone with these two names / Credit: Insomnia Cookies UK
If you aren’t lucky enough to be called one of those two names though, then thankfully you can still make some great savings on a classic four-pack of cookies over the spring bank holiday weekend, and for every four-pack sold, £1 will be donated to Groundwork – a charity helping make Manchester greener for nature and for local people.
“We’re calling for Marys and Janes to join us to live the high life with free cookies all week,” commented Millie Ralston, Head of Marketing at Insomnia Cookies.
Danny Jones -
25th March 2024 
