ShinDigger: The ‘Best Lockdown Delivery’ service that drops fresh beer to your door in average time of 81 minutes
With Greater Manchester recent shift up to Tier 3 and the subsequent closure of 1,800 local pubs, people are turning back to beer delivery services - and Shindigger have three new brews ready just in time.
Seven months ago, breweries in Britain were left staring down the barrel.
Every single pub had locked their doors and pulled down the shutters, leaving hundreds of litres’ worth of beer just stewing in warehouses all across the country.
The whole world was taking shelter – and there was no telling when it would be safe to come back out.
Local brewers, ShinDigger, suddenly had a tough decision to make.
Their main market had been temporarily wiped off the face of the planet, and whilst the obvious decision was to mothball, a number-crunching exercise revealed that going into hibernation would more likely harm than help their chances of survival.
Whilst the pandemic dictated that pubs didn’t need beer any more, residents definitely did.
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This prompted ShinDigger’s founders George Grant and Paul Delamere to flip their business model upside-down overnight.
They swapped kegs for cans and pubs for homes; taking their recipes out on the road in smaller containers as part of a brand new service they’ve called ShinDigger Live.
It’s been a revelation – and the bigwigs have recognised it as such.
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At the Manchester Food & Drink Awards 2020 – ShinDigger scooped the prize ‘Best Lockdown Delivery Service’ – and after temporary foray back into local bars, the brand is preparing to return the emphasis back to tins – with home delivery demand rising again after Manchester’s move to Tier 3.
ShinDigger have enough drivers on the road and crates at the ready to guarantee delivery to any address inside the M60 within just three hours – but the most recent data shows customers are waiting an average time of just 81 minutes for cans to be dropped on their doorsteps.
The demand for ShinDigger has even stretched beyond Greater Manchester – with drivers now whisking beer to thirsty customers all over the UK.
The region’s move to ‘very high’ risk has brought about the closure of around 1,800 local pubs, meaning more residents are turning back to beer delivery services instead.
ShinDigger have released three new brews just in time, including:
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Pio – a fruited sour with 100kg of each passion fruit and pineapple puree added to the fermentation tank, with founders comparing the tropical zing to a Haribo Tangfastic.
Different Gravy – Juicy hazy IPA that functions as an ‘homage to the greatest condiment the world has ever seen’
La Vida Coco – rich desert stout with 120kg coconut and 20kg cocoa nibs, plus milk sugar.
Co-founder George said that the team has been working hard behind the scenes to develop the service ahead of winter, with ShinDigger constantly collaborating with other brands to come up with new recipes – investing in the latest tech to keep delivery times truncated.
“The product range has been extended with the addition of guest breweries and premium canned cocktails from Vacay,” George explains.
“We’ve integrated a customer service AI chatbot on Facebook messenger and customers get alerted when their order is top of the queue and can GPS track their driver.”
The brewery has recruited dozens of drivers (and is advertising for more right now) – creating vital income for many freelancers / artists who previous work has been left high and dry by the pandemic.
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They’ve even sent out free crates to students forced to isolate in halls following coronavirus outbreaks.
To view the ShinDigger menu, try the new cans, and book a delivery slot – head on over to their website ShinDigger Live.
It’s going to be a tricky old winter, this. A good stock of beer is absolutely essential.
Eats
A huge new Irish bar has opened in Manchester city centre (yes, another one)
Daisy Jackson
There’s another new Irish pub in Manchester city centre, this time on one of our busiest nightlife strips, Peter Street.
Katie O’Brien’s has officially thrown open the doors to its enormous two-storey venue, taking over and transforming the former Peaky Blinders bar.
Inside, there are three bars pouring both Guinness AND Murphys, a huge elevated stage on its own mezzanine level, which will host live musicians seven nights a week, and walls packed with decor transporting you to the Emerald Isle.
The makeover they’ve given this massive unit really is quite something, creating all sorts of cosy corners and snug areas where you can nurse a pint of stout.
Faux fireplaces, leather booth seating, and low ceilings all set the tone for a relaxed pint in the snugs.
Or if you want something a little livelier, head to the heart of the bar, where you can dance the night away to the live entertainment above your head.
Manchester’s Katie O’Brien’s is set to be their largest Irish bar yet, with existing locations all over the UK, including in Leeds and Sheffield.
Their rapid expansion has now brought them to the heart of Manchester, where they’ll be neighbouring bustling nightlife spots like Albert’s Schloss, Manahatta, and Impossible.
Katie O’Brien’s has opened on Peter StreetIt’s taken over the old Peaky Blinders barCosy snugs in Katie O’Brien’sIt serves both Murphy’s AND Guinness
The venue has taken over what was once the Peaky Blinders bar, which shut down back in March.
The previous occupier had themed its venue and menu around the hit gangster show, with cocktails named after characters.
They wrote at the time: “It is with an extremely heavy heart that we unfortunately have to announce the closure of Peaky Blinders Manchester with immediate effect. On behalf of our entire team, we are truly thankful to every guest who has stepped through our doors since opening in 2018.
“We are devastated it has had to end this way, but grateful for the journey. Thank you so much for your continued support over the years. It’s been a blast, Manchester!”
Katie O’Brien’s is open now on Peter Street in Manchester.
One of Manchester’s most popular brunch spots is opening its second location
Daisy Jackson
A brunch spot with queues down the street, and an edible Labubu French toast on the menu, is opening a second location this summer.
Bruncho has revealed plans to expand from its home on Deansgate and take on the Northern Quarter.
The all-day brunch cafe is set to move into the huge unit left empty by the shock closure of Feel Good Club.
Bruncho is known for its brunch dishes that have a real knack for going viral on social media, including New York-style breakfast rolls in croissant bread; fresh coconut water and matcha served in the coconut; and its absolutely stacked French toasts.
It’s consistently packed out at its original location on Deansgate, and now it’s taking over a 4,378 sq ft unit in the Northern Quarter too, set to open this June.
Omer Umut Mutlu, owner of Bruncho, said: “Manchester has shown Bruncho so much love, and expanding into the Northern Quarter feels like the natural next step for us.
“Hilton House gives us the space to elevate what we do – more covers, more events, and a new home for the kind of food and atmosphere people will make the journey for.
The viral Labubu French toast at Bruncho in ManchesterA breakfast spread at Bruncho
“We’re excited to bring something fresh to the neighbourhood, with the opening scheduled for June 2026.”
Paul Shakeshaft, Head of Property Management at CERT, commented: “We’ve found the ideal tenant to join the Hilton House community. Bruncho provides a new focal point for the building and for the community.
“They’re a fantastic operator with big plans that bring the right fit and the right atmosphere to the building and neighbourhood.
“Signing Bruncho brings Hilton House back to full occupation, including a full refit in just seven months, underpinning our neighbourhood vision for our commercial properties, and their continued success and appeal far beyond their completion.”
Bruncho will open their second Manchester cafe in the Northern Quarter this June.
The Manc -
24th October 2020 
