Popular taproom and Manchester brewery Beer Nouveau has left fans shocked after making the announcement that it is closing down and putting its taproom and brewing equipment on sale.
A longstanding gem of the city’s craft beer scene, the Temperance Street brewery tap has been a favourite haunt of local beer lovers for the best part of seven years – but now founder Steven Dunkley has said it’s time to wind things up.
Taking to social media to explain his decision, a tweet from the brewery tap account starts off by saying that “it’s not really a surprise given everything that’s happening”, before going on to explain how they will be winding up Beer Nouveau “for the time being”.
Revealing that they will be putting both the brewing equipment and the taproom itself up for sale, the post from Beer Nouveau continued:
“This isn’t a decision we’ve taken lightly, we’ve worked hard for over 8 years to build up what we believe to be a great space for great beers, and especially great customers.
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“We’ll be around a while yet while we look for a buyer that will hopefully keep it all going, it’s got great potential.
“I’m sure there’s loads of questions, and probably even more gossip, and if you know me you’ll know I’ll happily answer all of them honestly. But for now, that’s all.
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“Unless you fancy buying yourself a brewery…”
Comments have flooded in thick and fast, with one person saying “Gutted for you folks.. Hope you find some nice buyers & best wishes for the future. You’ll always be one of our favourite Twitter accounts ever.”
Another reply said: “Urgh this sucks and I am so so sorry to hear it. You’re on my list to come visit so hopefully I can before you sell. Sending love and loads of good luck wishes to you all xxx”
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Image: Beer Nouveau
Image: Beer Nouveau
A third added: “So many great memories Steve. 2018 street party, pre-Crimbo Crawl, Various guest spot Saturdays, to name but a few. And just a nice spot for a beer. My favourite tap space in town by far. Thanks for the good times and I hope whatever the next move is a great one.”
A fourth said: “Really saddened to hear this Steve. All the best and hope you find a buyer who’ll be willing to continue your legacy.”
The Ardwick brewery taproom was first opened in October 2015, a year after founder Steve Dunkley plunged into the world of beer making using a £350 set-up in his Prestwich garage.
Having been in the pub trade since 1992, in 2014 he decided to go out on a limb and create his own styles of beer – plunging into the world of “traditional” 1970s recipes to resurrect old-school beers like Bass, Highgate dark mild, and Flowers IPA.
Soon enough his 40-litre garage set up evolved into a 1200-litre professional brewery, followed a year later by the now infamous taproom.
Here, as well as making his own styles of beer, Steve quietly nurtured a new generation of upcoming beer and cider makers – allowing emerging brewers like Temperance Street Brewing, The Steelfish Brewing Co. and the Doomed Brewing Project to keep overheads low whilst experimenting with new products.
However, now all that looks set to come to an end as the business prepares to close its doors for good – unless they find a buyer, that is. We’re keeping our fingers crossed. After all, we’ve said goodbye to too many good places already this year. We don’t want to bid farewell to any more.
Feature image – Beer Nouveau
Eats
The Manchester restaurants and bars shortlisted for the MFDF Awards 2026
Daisy Jackson
The Manchester Food and Drink Festival Awards – better known as the MFDF Awards – have revealed the shortlist of local restaurants, bars, cafes, chefs, and more that are up for the city’s ultimate accolade.
Dozens of outstanding local businesses are nominated across 17 categories, covering everything from food trucks to Michelin Star chefs.
The winners will be revealed at the MFDF Awards ceremony on Monday 25 January, which this year will be held at Medlock Square’s City Hall for the first time.
Sponsored once again by Therme Manchester, the MFDF Awards celebrate the outstanding talent in Manchester’s hospitality scene.
Categories have been chosen to showcase new openings, talented chefs and producers, neighbourhood favourites, top restaurants, great pubs, and plenty more.
The shortlist has been selected from a list of submissions by the MFDF Awards judging panel, made up of leading food and drink critics, writers and industry experts.
As well as the public vote, judges will mystery shop venues in a number of categories and will score venues based on their experiences. The mystery shopping and public voting period will end at midnight on 11 January 2027 when the polls will be counted and combined with the judges’ scores and the winner of each category will be chosen.
The awards are now open to public vote on the MFDF website HERE.
Alexa Stratton-Powell, Awards Director of the MFDF Awards, said: “We’re proud to reveal this year’s MFDF Awards shortlists and shine a spotlight on the very best of Greater Manchester’s food and drink scene.
“The awards celebrate the incredible talent, creativity and diversity that make our region a world-class food and drink destination. We’re encouraging everyone to get behind the nominees by voting for your favourites, visiting the shortlisted venues and showing your support for our brilliant hospitality industry.
“We’re also looking forward to bringing the industry together on 25 January 2027 for a fantastic night of celebration and to crown this year’s winners.”
The Community Food and Drink Project of the Year, sponsored by Therme Manchester, is being decided through a separate judging process. The award celebrates initiatives making a positive difference to communities across Greater Manchester, from tackling food poverty and promoting sustainability to improving access to healthy food and bringing communities together.
The Howard and Ruth Award for Outstanding Achievement will also be presented on the night to recognise an outstanding contribution to Greater Manchester’s food and drink industry, with no public shortlist for the category.
The Manchester restaurants and bars on the MFDF 2026 shortlist
1. Affordable Eats Venue of the Year (Sponsored by Therme Manchester)
Sips n Dips in LevenshulmeNoodle Alley in ChinatownCredit: The Manc Group
Al Madina – 76 Wilmslow Rd, Manchester M14 5AL
Noodle Alley – 56A Faulkner Street, Manchester M1 4FH
Sips & Dips – 994 Stockport Rd, Manchester M19 3WN
Que Huong Viet – 76–78 Oldham Rd, Ancoats, Manchester M4 5EB
Kabana – 52 Back Turner Street, Manchester M4 1FR
Bahn Mi 782 – 782 Wilmslow Rd, Didsbury, Manchester M20 2DR
Zaytoni’s – 12 Oldham St, Manchester M1 1JQ
Cafe San Juan – 27 St Petersgate, Stockport, Manchester SK1 1EB
Previous winner – Double Zero
2. Takeaway of the Year
Kool Runnings – 118 Chorlton Road, Old Trafford, Stretford, Manchester M15 4AN
Rita’s Reign – Piccadilly, Manchester M1 1LY
Chicken Run – 6 Yarburgh St, Whalley Range, Manchester M16 7FJ
Viet Deli – 22 Blackfriars Street, Manchester M3 5BQ
Levenshulme Bakery – 842 Stockport Rd, Levenshulme, Manchester M19 3AW
The Post Box Shawarma – 543 Wilbraham Rd, Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Manchester M21 9PP
Manchester dessert hatch receives two-star review for ‘smiling too much’
Daisy Jackson
A dessert hatch in Manchester city centre has spoken out after receiving a two-star review – in which the main criticism was that they ‘smiled too much’.
Layr, a tiny tiramisu spot in Ancoats, has publicly addressed the review, which said the staff’s friendliness was ‘almost creepy’.
The reviewer wrote: “Came today, had alright tiramisu but the staff were smiling too much it was almost creepy. Also felt interrogated, just wanted to get my tiramisu and leave, don’t think ill be back.”
Layr – which was also the victim of ‘hostile hate messages’ earlier this year – has now shared a response to the new two-star review.
They’ve said that while they will always take feedback on board, they refuse to change ‘the warmth & smiles you’re greeted with’.
Layr posted: “We absolutely recognise, and know that every customer experience matters. We never want anyone to feel uncomfortable visiting us, and always take every bit of feedback on board.
“Smiling is just who we are. Layr was built to feel warm, welcoming, and to be a memorable part of your day, week or month. We all need that little pick-me-up no matter what.
“Our amazing team all work incredibly hard, GENUINELY enjoy meeting so many of you and hearing about your day.
“If being too friendly gets us two stars, we can live with that.
“We’ll always choose warmth, no matter what. Great tiramisu matters, so does good people and amazing energy.
“A message to our team. Please don’t stop smiling. Ever.”
Georgina Pellant -
5th October 2022 
