Wolfpack Lager has launched a limited edition rugby-inspired beer that’s raising money for motor neurone disease
It's been found that MND is 15 times more likely to occur in rugby players, so it's a fitting time of year to be raising awareness and funds for crucial research.
London-based brewer Wolfpack Lager has created a special new rugby-inspired beer that is helping raise money for motor neurone disease and you can find it at a select few pubs in and around Greater Manchester.
Wolfpack Brewing Co. has teamed up with Stonegate Group, who operate around 4,800 pubs throughout the UK, to launch the aptly named ‘Second Row IPA’ in support of players like former professional rugby union star Ed Slater.
So, in an effort to help raise some money for the MNDA (Motor Neurone Disease Association) and awareness during this year’s Rugby World Cup, which kicked off last week, the pair have now released their brand new charitable beer across 400 different pubs — including several around our way.
With the crisp, floral ale with vibrant citrus notes being served right throughout the tournament and 20p of every pint sold going directly to the MNDA, Hargreaves, Wyles and all the Wolfpack team are hoping to raise lots of money for a crucial cause.
As Oldham’s very own Kevin Sinfield has often echoed, “MND isn’t incurable, it’s underfunded”, so opportunities like the 2023 Rugby World Cup, which can help bring the issue to the forefront as Sinfield, Burrows, Weir and so many others have done in recent years, are so important.
Co-founder and former rugby union star Hargreaves said in a statement: “We are incredibly proud to be launching Second Row IPA in partnership with Stonegate Pub Group. We’ve set ourselves an ambitious target of raising £10,000 through sales of the beer to support the MNDA – a cause very close to our hearts as ex-rugby players.
“Equally as importantly, we also want to raise awareness of the disease via this campaign and would encourage people to visit the MNDA website to learn more about why the fundraising is so vital.”
As for the Stonegate pub chain, Chief Commercial Officer, Melissa Wisdom, added: “We are proud to partner with Wolfpack and stand with the rugby and MND community to launch Second Row IPA to raise both awareness and important funds in the fight against MND.
“We hope our guests really enjoy this beer and join us in supporting such an important cause.”
The Rugby World Cup ends on 28 October and you can try the brand-new Second Row Session IPA from any one these fine pubs between now and then, all of which are within or less than an hour from Greater Manchester:
Barley Mow – Warrington
Cross Keys Hotel – Knutsford
Kings Tap – Cheadle Hulme
Lord Eldon – Knutsford
Old Roebuck – Altrincham
Pride of the Peaks – New Mills
Red Bull – Eccles
White Lion – Disley
Willow Tavern – Failsworth
Although not currently available to order on the website, hopefully you’ll be able to purchase some Second Row and keep helping the charity whilst enjoying a beer soon.
Luxury Manchester steak restaurant launches bottomless brunch with endless rosé
Daisy Jackson
One of the newest luxury restaurants in Manchester is bringing back its suitably luxury bottomless brunch, with endless rosé and champagne.
The Cut & Craft is reintroducing its bottomless brunch, where you can sip on never-ending Whispering Angel Rosé while tucking into a flat iron steak.
And if you’re not fussed about the food and just want to indulge in 90 minutes of non-stop Moët & Chandon Champagne in a beautiful setting, there are bar-only tables available too, which come with complimentary black truffle crisps.
The whole thing will be soundtracked by a live DJ, dancers, and more.
Now, this landmark Victorian building is painted in rich blues and golds, with huge windows, private dining spaces, a sommelier lounge, and even a ‘gossip room’.
The Cut & Craft is reintroducing its bottomless brunch
Its bottomless brunch launched over the previous bank holidays and will be back again this August for one day only.
You can choose from bottomless Whispering Angel, Moët & Chandon Champagne, or both.
And dishes from the Cut & Craft bottomless brunch set menu include flat iron steak and chips; halloumi, steak or prawn fajitas; and grilled peach salad.
Each booking gets you 90 minutes of bottomless, with extra nibbles available like freshly shucked Carlingford oysters, caviar, olives, salted almonds, and more.
Whispering Angel tickets are £55 for bar, or £75 for restaurant.
Champagne AND Whispering Angel tickets are £80 at the bar or £100 in the restaurant.
Prestwich wine bar Chin Chin now serves roast dinner sandwiches
Daisy Jackson
A new (ish) wine bar in Prestwich has launched one of the city’s coolest Sunday offerings – roast dinner sandwiches, with a side of jazz.
If I’ve said it once I’ve said it 1000 times – Elnecot is up there as one of Manchester’s best Sunday roasts, with Yorkshire puddings you could fit a jug of gravy inside, blushing slices of roast beef, and generous portions that put you in the sort of food coma you should be in on a Sunday afternoon.
So when Roast Master (okay fine, his official job title is chef/owner) Michael Clay said that his sister venue Chin Chin was launching a Sunday offering, I was there with my nose pressed up at the window. I’m ready, Michael.
Sunday Sessions at Chin Chin, right in the heart of Prestwich village, brings that incredible roast beef and roast potatoes into a more casual format.
You can tuck into roast meat butties, roast potatoes loaded with cheese and gravy, and ice cream sundaes, all while perusing a well-thought-out wine list that’s written up by hand every time new bottles come in.
Oh, and did we mention there are £4 pints all day on Sunday – and that includes Guinness?
On the side of just about everything on the menu, you’re presented with a little bowl of extra gravy (how delightfully Northern) for dipping and dunking.
Sunday Sessions at Chin Chin in PrestwichRoast beef sandwiches at Chin ChinLancashire cheese toastiesThe BifanaLoaded roastiesWine and vinyl recordsInside Chin Chin wine barThe wine list at Chin Chin
Our top pick would be the roast beef sandwich, served between ciabatta rolls and laced with mustard mayo and caramelised onions.
But the cheese toastie is worth a visit too – a hefty helping of Lancashire cheese and charred spring onions, with a ‘secret sauce’ on the side.
Coming soon will be a new menu item, a Bifana sandwich. If you’ve trudged the streets of Portugal you’ll have come across these – thin slices of pork marinated in white wine and garlic, piled into bread with a punchy mustard. Chin Chin’s are excellent.
And for afters, because there is always room for dessert, it’s a lovely ice cream sundae topped with miso caramel and a showering of pistachios.
The whole time you’ll be eating with a soundtrack of jazz, played through the wine bar’s vinyl record system and Michael’s own personal collection of vinyls.
Chin Chin is open now on Bury New Road, with food on Sundays served between 12pm and 6pm.
Danny Jones -
11th September 2023 
