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
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.
Georgina Pellant -
5th October 2022 
