The Manchester craft beer festival will return to Mayfield Depot this summer, bringing with it hundreds of different brews from across the globe.
Following a successful debut last summer, the festival will take residence in the former warehouse this summer – taking place across Friday 22 and Saturday 23 July.
Bringing together great music, beer and street food under one roof, the festival will take place across three sessions: 6pm-11pm on Friday, 11:30-4:30pm Saturday and 6pm-11pm Saturday.
With a line-up of world-class breweries, beer fans will be able to sample everything from sours to IPA’s, lagers to imperial stouts at this year’s event.
Image: Manchester Union Lager
Run by the team behind Bigfoot Festival, music will come from the likes of UK jungle legend Goldie, soundsystem and radio DJ Norman Jay MBE, and electronic musician and composer David Holmes.
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For £55 a ticket, guests will have access to unlimited beer throughout their chosen five-hour session. On top of that, they’ll also be given a special festival beer glass to take home and access to the festival’s pop-up street food kitchens.
Manchester breweries Manchester Union Lager, Black Jack, Track, Marble, Pomona Island and Beatnikz will all be in attendance, as well a host of top-tier breweries from further afield.
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Further breweries confirmed to attend so far include Mondo, Timothy Taylors, North Brew Co., Brixton, Brew York, Vocation, Pastore, Alpha Delta, The Kernel and Burnt Mill.
Image: Pomona Island
And for those who are after something other than beer, there’ll also be stalls from Tappd Cocktails, Jim & Tonic and Ascension Cider.
The festival will also play host to the North West’s finest chefs, restaurants and popups taking stalls for the weekend – including a brand-new fire-pit cooking concept, which will see guest chefs take turns to serve up their own BBQ takes.
Speaking on the festival’s return, co-founder of We Are Beer, Greg Wells said: “After such a warm welcome last year, it was no question whether we’d return to Manchester.
“The city is home to many incredible breweries so it’s great to be able to bring everyone together to celebrate their contribution to the craft beer community!
“As well as local legends and newcomers, we’re excited to showcase international favourites and breweries from all over the UK.
“There’s really going to be something for everyone – beer lovers and even non-beer lovers, foodies, music heads, for those wanting a learning experience or simply a memorable night out! We’re very excited to be back.”
Stockport man jailed for life after kidnapping and sexually assaulting teenage girl
Emily Sergeant
A Stockport man has been sentenced to life in prison after kidnapping and sexually assaulting a teenage girl on her way home from the library.
Paul Sharpe has been sentenced to life imprisonment with an eight-year minimum term in prison after being convicted of a number of offences when subjected a teenage girl to what police called a ‘terrifying ordeal’ that lasted several hours back in May 2026.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) confirmed that the victim had been studying at Sale Library before beginning her journey home with friends at around 5:50pm and contacting her parents at 6:10pm to let them know she was on her way.
Twenty minutes later, she spoke to her boyfriend on the phone and said she was approximately five minutes away from home, but that her phone battery was about to die.
This was the last contact received from the victim that evening.
While walking along Bradgate Road in Altrincham, the victim noticed a grey Ford parked nearby and a man wearing a high-visibility jacket pressing doorbells in the area.
As she walked past, Sharpe approached her from behind, placed her in a headlock and threatened to stab her if she did not get into his vehicle.
Concerned that their daughter had not returned home, the victim’s family contacted police at 9:22pm to report her missing, and officers immediately launched an investigation to locate her.
Over the next several hours, the victim was subjected to and placed in a number of terrifying situations.
Sharpe drove the victim to several locations across Greater Manchester and Cheshire, before police located and arrested him at around 3:40am on 19 May 2026.
Following his arrested, 56-year-old Sharpe was convicted of kidnap, committing an offence with intent to commit a sexual offence, sexual assault, engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child, threats with a bladed article, and administering a noxious substance with intent to injure, annoy or aggrieve.
“This was a terrifying ordeal for a young girl who was simply making her way home,” explained Detective Inspector Karl Perry, from GMP’s Criminal Investigation Department.
“Sharpe targeted a vulnerable victim, subjected her to hours of fear and intimidation, and went on to sexually assault her.
“The victim has shown immense courage throughout the investigation and court proceedings. Through her bravery and actions, she no doubt made it harder for Sharpe to carry out whatever acts he had planned.”
Featured Image – GMP
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Major pop star crowns humble rice and three cafe as ‘Jewel of Manchester’ ahead of sold-out gig
Thomas Melia
A beloved city centre takeaway has been given the title of ‘Jewel of Manchester’ by chart-topping UK singer Sam Smith.
Known for hits like ‘Stay With Me’, ‘I’m Not The Only One’ and more recently ‘Unholy’, UK pop-ballad act Sam Smith also likes to drop a food review every once in a while.
Currently on the road with a run of shows in Manchester and London for their ‘To Be Free’ live shows, Sam Smith is stopping off at some of our city’s much-loved spots.
On their food-reviewing account titled ‘Sam Served’, where they adopt the aptly-fitting nickname ‘Ham Smith’, Sam has visited restaurants across the globe – and most recently turned their attention to Manchester’s own This & That.
Smith decided to pop in and grab a cheeky rice and three from long-standing backstreet food business This & That, and it certainly went down a treat.
After sampling their amazing selection of meat, vegetable and vegan curries, the musician crowned this family-run Indian takeaway a ‘Jewel of Manchester’.
The hitmaker described this Northern Quarter Indian eatery as ‘Everything food should be’ and definitely enjoyed all the curries on offer ‘leaving belly and heart full’.
This & That prides itself on affordable and comforting food with its ‘Rice and Three Curries’ starting from just £6 – not bad for a city centre foodie spot.
Sam has racked up an impressive 490k followers via their ‘Sam Served’ profile, with famous faces like Lily Allen, Denise Welch and CMAT all wanting to know the superstar’s foodie thoughts.
After enjoying a curry or three, Sam Smith also made sure to feed their soul to by venturing down to Afflecks and getting lost in the music at Mars Tapes.
Recognised as one of the UK’s only cassette and tape shops, Mars Tapes lets you flick through their crates of physical media and even preview tracks before you buy with its dedicated listening areas.
It’s safe to say that Smith has ‘Latched’ onto Manchester’s independent business scene and we’re here for it.
The London-born artist has just released their latest album Hazel Eyes and is currently amid a UK residency tour with two dates in Manchester’s Albert Hall and eight shows set for London Coliseum.
Georgina Pellant -
3rd March 2022 
