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
Hotel Chocolat to open viral chocolate Velvetiser Cafe in Manchester
Hotel Chocolat is set to open a Velvetiser Cafe in Manchester city centre, and it’ll be absolute paradise for chocolate lovers.
The popular chocolate shop, which has stores across the UK selling delicious chocolate bars, boxes and more, is now preparing to branch out in town.
Hotel Chocolat then hit a new level of fame with its Velvetiser, an invention that creates velvety smooth hot drinks at the touch of a button.
They’ve been so popular, Hotel Chocolat is now opening Velvetiser Cafes across the UK – and Manchester is up next.
If it follows in the footsteps of the Meadowhall cafe in Sheffield, visitors will be able to customise their perfect hot chocolate from thousands of combinations.
There are 18 flavours, different milks, and a whole variety of toppings available.
Then you drink can be served hot, over ice, or as a choc shake.
Colourful hoardings for the Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser Cafe have now appeared on Cross Street, just next door to the new Joe & The Juice.
A planning application has also been lodged with Manchester City Council.
The huge LA-based fried chicken brand backed by Drake is heading to Manchester for the very first time this summer.
Dave’s Hot Chicken is set to open in the Printworks this August – the first UK branch outside of London and Birmingham.
The cult chicken brand has said that its new venue will feature an ‘industrial design inspired by Manchester’s rave scene’ (if we had a pound every time a new venue used that design style, we’d be as rich as Drake…).
Dave’s Hot Chicken is famed for its signature Nashville-style hot chicken, which is served in seven different spice levels from No Spice to Reaper.
Expect sliders, tenders, ‘next-level’ top-loaded shakes and slushes.
It’s grown so quickly that in 2021, it caught the eye of none other than rapper Drake, who is a ‘significant investor’ in the brand.
The fried chicken spot will be moving into the large corner unit at Printworks, which has previously been Busaba Thai, and Floripa, with 139 covers.
Dave’s Hot Chicken is coming to Manchester
Inside, it will feature towering ceilings, exposed steelwork, and laser lights, claiming to be a ‘full-on sensory trip, where music, light and fried chicken will come together to create a high-voltage experience’.
There will also be custom graffiti inspired by L.A.-based street artists Splatterhaus and Dehm.
Dave’s Hot Chicken still has hour-long queues down in London, several months after opening on Shaftesbury Avenue – next up will be a Birmingham branch in July before Manchester opens later this summer.
And this is just the start of a nationwide expansion.
Jim Attwood, Managing Director of Dave’s Hot Chicken UK, said: “Printworks Manchester is the ideal setting for our next UK site – right at the heart of one of the country’s most exciting cities.
“The new restaurant pays homage to Manchester’s legendary warehouse rave scene, with an industrial-inspired design and bold, high-energy atmosphere to match our signature flavours.
“We can’t wait to bring something fresh to this iconic venue and its vibrant mix of entertainment, food and culture.”
Dave’s Hot Chicken will open at Printworks Manchester on 8 August.
Daisy Jackson -
17th April 2023 
