A Cumbrian craft brewery is taking over a beloved independent bar in the Northern Quarter

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Cumbrian craft beer Fell Brewery taking over Pelican Northern Quarter

Popular Cumbria-based craft beer brand Fell Brewery is set to take over an independent Manchester pub in the Northern Quarter and former Squawk drinking spot.

The company based in Grange-over-Sands on the southern coast of the Lake District was founded back in 2013 and has become a much-admired name in the region, with a total of five different locations across the North West, including their live music and events space, Glisky.

Now set to take over the Pelican on NQ, formerly operated by Manc beer experts Squawk Brewing Co. who reopened the venue as the successor Beatnikz Republic, they will retain the existing name for now but are set to carry out a rebrand in the coming months.

This comes as a lifeline for the pub after Squawk announced back in January that they were calling it a day after a decade of brewing some of the area’s most beloved and world-renowned craft beer. Luckily, they announced they were back up and running earlier this month but Pelican will be changing hands.

This is actually the second Greater Manchester spot they have taken over, with the Cumbrian brewery having also acquired an old clothing shop back in 2020 and opening under the name Fell Chorlton, as we’re sure many of you have already sampled in the years since.

Promising to continue instilling their principles of ‘independent and local’, ‘sustainable and small’, the brand is hoping to keep Pelican’s ever-growing crowd of regulars coming through the door whilst also attracting new customers with their own take on craft ales and the beerhouse experience.

As detailed in the announcement, the plan is to “incorporate [their] branding and venue look and feel” and they’ll also be announcing a lot more over the next few weeks.

We also applaud the person who was first to respond underneath the announcement post with the comedic but convenient suggestion, “So you’re calling it Fellican right?” Well played.

Fell Brewery lays down more roots in Manchester. (Credit: The Manc Eats)

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Although it’s still unclear as to when the first raft of changes will begin, for now, you can still head in and enjoy Pelican’s wide range of lagers, ales, IPAs, stouts, sours and more.

It really is a great boozer and we’re glad Fell Brewery is helping keep Squawk‘s legacy alive in pub form over at the Dale Street site, even if it’s not quite as we know it.

Better yet, with Fell Chorlton having already grown a strong local following, it’ll be no time before the regular punters catch the tram into town to try the new gaff.

See you there for a pint or two soon.

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Featured Images — The Manc Group/Fell Brewery