A bar dedicated to alcoholic ginger beer is opening an hour from Manchester in a ‘UK first’, and we’re pretty excited about it.
After all, ginger beer has long been a favourite, be that on its own or as a mixer for fans of Pimms, dark and spiced rum. Still, despite its deliciousness, it’s pretty unusual to see the old faithful served as a boozy product all on its own.
Now, though, that’s all set to change as Northern Brewery DMC prepares to launch the UK’s first-ever dedicated alcoholic ginger beer bar over in Leeds, reports The Hoot.
Flavours on offer will include boozy ginger beers with lemongrass and lime leaf, orange with cinnamon and star anise, a 1700s-recipe beer, and an ancho chilli and cacao nib concoction.
DMC is also preparing to serve some seasonal options, including a barrel-aged ginger beer, and another made with golden pear and chi spice.
ADVERTISEMENT
The brewery, run by husband and wife team Giuseppe ‘Gez’ Romano and Ele Romano, has spent the past three years perfecting its recipes over in Wakefield ahead of the move to a new, bigger brewery under Leeds’ railway arches.
Image: DMC Brewery
Image: DMC Brewery
What first began as a kitchen brew back in 2018 has spiralled into a fully-fledged business, after Gez – who was formerly a head chef at a top Leeds restaurant – and his partner Ele found themselves with a newborn baby and little energy or time to go out.
ADVERTISEMENT
Disappointed with the selection of boozy ginger beers they could find readily available on the market, they decided to make their own – and five years later, the rest is history.
Having outgrown their Wakefield premises, the pair are now crowdfunding to open a new taproom bar at the new Leeds brewery site on Railway Street – with Gez promising that pledges are sure to get more back in bar credits and merchandise.
ADVERTISEMENT
Speaking to the Yorkshire Evening Post, Gez explained that, after digging into the history of ginger beer, the couple had discovered that it was originally brewed in Yorkshire.
First brewed in the 1700s, they learnt that it was actually an alcoholic drink in Yorkshire long before it became the popular soft drink we know and love today, thanks, largely, to American prohibition.
As a result, they couldn’t resist making a historically accurate drink – and so now the product is made using entirely organic ingredients in order to give it that Yorkshire authenticity.
He said: “We have always wanted to open a tap room – it’s a scary leap but it’s exciting, and people are really excited for it.
“Some have told us they’ve been waiting for this. I had a look on the internet and I’ve found one bar in America, but I don’t there’s any like this in the UK.
ADVERTISEMENT
“Things have been going really well, but we have exceeded the capacity we can do at Wakefield.
“We have got a lot of interest for European distribution because there’s nothing like what we do in Europe, but we need to be able to brew enough.
“It’s a natural progression and it’s reassuring to know there’s a market for it.”
To find out more about the new alcoholic ginger beer bar opening in Leeds and support the Crowdfunder appeal, which is already at over £8,000, click here.
Featured image – DMC Brewery
News
Limited 10k places left as Great Manchester Run half marathon sells out once again
Danny Jones
The AJ Bell Great Manchester Run half marathon has officially sold out yet again for 2025, with just a small number of 10k places left.
With thousands of Mancs and visitors to the region having earned themselves glory at this year’s Manchester Marathon, attention has already turned to the next big event: the Great MCR Run.
Returning for its 22nd year, AJ Bell is bringing the Great Manchester Run back to the city and while tickets for the longest distance may have been snapped up as per, anyone debating taking on the 10k still has time to get their bib through the post.
Go on, you know what want the finish line feeling – not to mention a shiny new medal to score some well-deserved free pints on the day.
Yes, while spaces on the Great Manchester Run have already sold out in no time, there are are now less than 500 still left to grab for the 10k.
The question is, will you be one of them?
Final entries are available for £45 but there are also a select few charity places for anyone who backs themself to raise enough money before race day.
Taking place on Sunday, 18 May, with the first runners getting underway from approximately 8:10am, you’ve not got long to decide whether you want to be part of the action.
It’s worth also worth noting that if you missed out on the half marathon this year but fancy giving the next one a go, you can set a reminder for 2026 entries now.
One final thing: last minute Great Manchester Run entrants for the 10k must be aged 15 and over; a booking fee of £2.50 per entry will also applied at checkout.
Beyond that, provided you’ve got the training under your belt/you already a solid fitness base, the only thing that’s left to do is get ready for the starting gun. You can even take part in the official shake-out run, if you fancy it.
See you for the post-race pints and hopefully some PB showboating!
Say hello to the Official AJ Bell Great Manchester Run Shakeout with @Mitchum – powered by Manchester Run Club 🏃♂️⚡
📍 Great Northern Square 🗓️ 8:30AM | Saturday 17th May 🏃♂️ 5km route
Five retired GMP officers arrested following investigation into sexual exploitation of a girl in the 1960s
Emily Sergeant
Five retired police officers have been arrested as part of an investigation into the sexual exploitation of a girl in Manchester in the 1960s.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) confirmed that the arrests were made after months of detailed enquiries to identify suspects from allegations made by a woman – who was younger than 16 at the time when the offending began.
Some of the offenders are believed to be officers from a dedicated unit that worked to safeguard sex workers in Manchester at the time, according to GMP.
Three of the arrests were made after warrants were executed in Bolton, Bury, and Trafford last month, while the other two suspects were arrested this month.
The suspects – who are each between the ages of 73 and 81 – have been questioned on suspicion of sexual offences and misconduct, and at this time, GMP says they are on conditional bail as police enquiries continue.
We’ve arrested five retired GMP officers as part of an investigation into the sexual exploitation of a girl in Manchester in the 1960s.
— Greater Manchester Police (@gmpolice) May 6, 2025
The victim involved is also being continuously supported by specialist officers and partner agencies throughout the investigation.
GMP said in a statement of intent that ‘no matter when abuse has taken place’ and ‘no matter who by’ either, the force is there to listen to and support victims, and take necessary action.
“We commend the woman’s courage for coming forward and supporting this investigation,” commented Assistant Chief Constable Steph Parker said.
“We do not underestimate how difficult it is for her to relive details of this horrendous abuse decades on from the time it was happening, and I’m sure the public will be as troubled as I am that five former officers are suspected of being involved in the abuse of a woman when she was a vulnerable child and adult who needed their protection.”
Five retired GMP officers have been arrested following an investigation into the sexual exploitation of a girl in the 1960s / Credit: RawPixel
ACC Parker insisted that ‘no abuser is immune from justice’ and ‘time is no barrier’.
She continued: “The GMP of today is absolutely committed to ensuring victims are listened to and supported, regardless of who’s committed these offences and how long ago it occurred.
“Our investigation will go to all necessary lengths to uncover the full facts of these allegations and to ensure any offenders are rightly brought to justice.”
Anyone affected by this case, or who may have any relevant information, is asked to contact police on 101, quoting ‘Op Salvador’.