In one of the most intriguing alcoholic innovations of 2021 so far, a northern brewery has come up with a recipe for a craft beer that tastes just like sour gummy worms.
Northern Monk has teamed up with low-ABV connoisseurs Mash Gang to create a 2.4% Berliner Weisse that mimics the ‘mouth-puckering zing’ of sweet shop treats – titling their concoction Gary’s Fizzy Army.
Packed with 2,000 kg of pineapple, passionfruit, blueberry and sour cherry, the beer is being tipped to cause quite the commotion – with Northern Monk even going so far as to call it one of their favourite beers yet.
Back to the pick & mix for LeiMai’s latest – a crushable 2.4% fizzy worm Berliner Weisse with 2,000kg of pineapple, passionfruit, blueberry, and cherry. Brewed with our NoLo pals Mash Gang
Available in 440ml tins, Gary’s Fizzy Army also sports an eye-catching label designed by Manchester-based artist LeiMai LeMaow – who is working with Northern Monk on a series of character-themed beers.
Fizzy Army represents the third addition to the series – following in the footsteps of Astro Gary (an astrobelt sour IPA) and Micki Pop (a cherry cola IPA). ⠀
Describing the beer, the brewery said it was a “mash up of different fruits [that] captures the lucky dip of flavours you get with a bag of fizzy sweets.”
Cans are priced at £3.95 and are available online via the Northern Monk shop.
Northern Monk has been adding experimental additions to their range in recent weeks – including CBD beer Green Heathen; Brazilian chocolate stout OFS036; and a Prawn Cocktail Gose inspired by Seabrooks crisps.
Food & Drink
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Stockport is riding a real wave of excitement right now, and aside from being dubbed ‘the new Berlin’ a couple of years back, it’s also enjoying a big bar boom right now: case and point, Highballer, which has just been opened by the blokes behind a familiar local name.
Given the experience behind this new venture, we have a feeling this one could finally stick for what has proved to be a tricky unit in the past.
Created by Neil Garner – the man behind charming indie bar champions, Cherry Jam – Highballer is another music-forward venue from a team with experience across both industries.
Looking to carry on where Amp, Dr Feelgood and even Remedy Bar left off before them, Highballer is the latest watering hole to appear inside 11 Market Place following a successful pop-up earlier this year.
No, it’s not the ‘Gary the Gorilla’, sorry – but it does give a nice little nod to Almost Famous. (Credit: Highballer)
With Amp closing at the start of the year, Garner saw the opportunity to step in turn the place into something familiar but new, promising more music, karaoke and bandaoke; a fresh new food menu, darts, pool and even the classic American lawn game, cornhole.
Having already opened earlier this month, toasting the arrival with a bonus Oasis reunion launch party on Friday, 20 June, the crowds are already starting to return. As for Garner, he brings an incredible pedigree to the new project.
A world champion flair bartender boasting 28 years in hospitality, he’s worked in over 100 countries, including time as a Las Vegas performer, not to mention holding a Guinness World Record and coming runner-up on Britain’s Got Talent as the founder-creator of entertainment act, ‘Barwizards’.
During his time down south, he also created the UK’s first adult playground called Roof East in London, which was ultimately sold a decade after winning Britain’s Best Outdoor Experience in 2024.
With his baby and the neighbouring bar Cherry Jam located literally just around the corner and down the brow, the reputation is already there, hence why it was busy from minute one.
Highballer sitting pretty in the shadow of two famous Stockport landmarks. (Credit: Supplied)
Stockport town centre has plenty of new pub and bar openings, from the resurrection of the old White Lion this time last year and the recently debuted Underbank, to fellow newcomer Fitzpatrick’s (formerly Bask), so it’s nice to see yet another one added into the mix.
Before Highballer, Neil spent years behind the scenes at some of the UK’s biggest festivals, running the backstage bars in the mid-noughties for events like Reading and Leeds Festival, Glastonbury, Isle of Wight and even Coachella.
In terms of food, he also spent time living in Seoul, where he developed a serious love for Korean, meaning that their collab with Manc favourites BAB was a natural fit.
On the menu you’ll find:
Korean Fried Chicken – crispy and packed with flavour
Loaded Fries – choose between pulled pork or spicy grilled chicken
Cauliflower Bites – crispy and full of spice
Gochujang Mac n’ Cheese – creamy and with a kick
Korean Cheese Corndogs
Korean Grilled Cheese
BAB MCR have come to Stockport to lend their talents to Highballer. (Credit: Supplied)
With ‘power hour’ karaoke sessions, Vimto mojitos named not just after the drink but the giant gorilla bouncer sat outside (great name), not to mention a big terrace to bring those beer garden vibes, they’ve got all the ingredients for an instant hit.
Oh, did we mention there are drink deals all week long? Well, there are. Cheers to that. Speaking to The Manc, Garner kept things short and sweet as he’s confident the product will do the talking, but admitted he’s “buzzing” to be opening another venue in the borough.
Balancing live music, entertainment, and hospitality is a tall order for anyone, but with the expertise behind this place, it stands as much of a fighting chance as everyone else.
It’s been a big couple of weeks for food and drink in Stockport.
The Manc -
26th April 2021 
