A weekend-long beer garden festival will return to Manchester this summer as Kampus welcomes the return of Manchester’s beloved Summer Beer Thing festival.
Back for 2023 and promising to be ‘bigger than ever’, tickets have just been released for the celebration which is set to take over the waterside garden neighbourhood from Friday 30 June to Sunday 2 July.
Bringing together beers from some of the UK’s top breweries, those heading down can expect to find a huge array of styles on offer as well as a few ‘festival specials’ – one-off drinks created for the occassion by each of Kampus’ indie bars and restaurants.
The summer fixture is the sister festival to Indy Man Beer Con, staged at Victoria Baths. Since starting in Manchester in 2017, it’s gone from strength to strength: attracting thousands of beer lovers eager to try the latest brews, as well as those new to craft ale looking for an accessible way to get involved and try something different.
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Summer Beer Thing will this year collaborate with the likes of Nell’s, Great North Pie, Seven Bro7hers, Red Light, Madre and Three Little Words to make 2023 the biggest line-up yet.
Louise Bruin at Summer Beer Thing, said: “Summer Beer Thing started as a showcase festival to get people together in the sunshine and celebrate all the seasonal ales from the UK’s best breweries. Year on year it’s grown and we now have thousands joining us over each weekend.
“Recent years have been really challenging for independent breweries, so it’s vital we get behind them. What better way than a massive summer party? This year will be all about seasonal bevs in the city’s best beer garden at Kampus. We’re going to pack the space with taps and collaborate with all the Kampus independents to offer more food and drink choices than ever before.”
Adam Brady, from HBD, said: “Summer Beer Thing brings with it an incredible and welcoming community of beer-lovers who are passionate about supporting the region’s best independent breweries. Plus they know how to party. It’s brilliant that the three-day celebration is returning to the Kampus garden, this time striking up one-off collaborations with the community of independent business based here.”
Kampus, the canalside neighbourhood developed by Capital&Centric and HBD, is enjoying a summer run of residencies, new openings and new menus from established independent traders.
Ticket holders receive a branded glass and can purchase tokens to spend at a range of festival bars featuring craft beers, fruits and sours, hoppy, hoppier and session beers as well as a range of non-beer drinks.
Featured image – Supplied
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The massively underrated rooftop terrace in Manchester with great views and top cocktails
Daisy Jackson
Manchester city centre is generally STARVED of outdoor space, but we’ve found the perfect sun-soaked oasis where you can enjoy a bit of fresh air and a whole lot of great food and drinks.
Tucked up on the sixth floor of the award-winning boutique hotel King Street Townhouse, you’ll find a rooftop terrace with beautiful views of the city’s skyline.
As Manchester buzzes along beneath you, you can tuck in to everything from full charcuterie grazing boards to seasonal snacks and small plates, all served alongside an impressive wine and cocktail list.
This often-overlooked local spot is a firm favourite of those in the know, thanks to its sheltered location that basks in the sun all afternoon.
And although it’s in a prime city centre location, just a stone’s throw from Deansgate, St Peter’s Square and Market Street, it’s a luxurious escape from it all – as is the entire boutique hotel it’s part of.
Whether it’s a post-work social, a relaxed date night, or a cheeky afternoon cocktail, the King Street Townhouse Terrace is open to the public and available for walk-ins or bookings when it isn’t privately hired.
On the menu you can expect locally-sourced dishes like Pollen sourdough served with whipped butter, a meat or cheese grazing board loaded with British produce, and larger plates like a beef and bone marrow burger or a fried fish roll topped with crisps.
British charcuterie grazing boardSpritzes on the King Street Townhouse terrace
Pairing perfectly with a spritz or a beer are snacks like deep-fried Gordal olives, stuffed with fennel sausage, and a brioche garlic bread packed with cream cheese.
The hotel has a cocktail list that celebrates classic drinks and a few of their own signature concoctions, and it doesn’t feel much more luxurious than when you treat yourself to a glass of sky-high champagne with views like this.
The South Terrace can also be hired privately for leisure or corporate events, with tailored catering options including summer BBQs.
And you can ramp up your trip to this oasis by staying overnight in one of the boutique hotels’ rooms, or visiting the King Street Townhouse ESPA spa for a treatment.
Find out more about the terrace at King Street Townhouse HERE.
The terrace at King Street Townhouse hotelThe terrace at King Street Townhouse hotelDeep-fried olivesGarlic bread with creamed cheeseKing Street Townhouse hotel
A massive Manchester United fan zone is being set up for the Europa League final
Danny Jones
With Man United officially booking their spot in the Europa League final, a massive fan zone is being set up in Manchester for fans to watch it.
The Reds are going to Bilbao, but flights and tickets aren’t cheap, so a huge fan park will have to do.
Supporter park specialists 4 The Fans – the same team behind the huge sites at the likes of Manchester’s Secret City, Love Factory and the Progress Centre for Euro 2024 – are putting one of the biggest fan zones yet for the game on Wednesday, 21 May.
4 The Fans are committed to putting on a huge fan zone over in Stretford, and with well over 50,000 fans attending their events over the last three years, it’s sure to be a mega atmosphere.
A massive Man United fan zone is on the cards for this year’s Europa League final. (Credit: 4 The Fans)
Having seen the atmosphere at some of their previous events first hand, this latest fan zone plan is giving us real Euros vibes.
Set to take over the Bowlers Exhibition Centre, a.k.a. the BEC Arena over in Stretford, the enormous events space will be transformed into one of their biggest fan zones to date, with the biggest screen in Manchester.
VIP seated tickets are also available, and parents are welcome to bring their kids along to the family-friendly event.
Tickets are already available and, in fact, they were so confident in the result against Athletic Club that supporters were guaranteed their money back if Ruben Amorim’s side managed to capitulate.
No harm, no foul and, turns out, no need to worry anyway.
Past scenes from international tournaments. (Credit: Supplied)
If the idea of being surrounded by fellow Reds for the game isn’t an attractive enough prospect on its own for you, United fans, the event is also set to be hosted by a club legend (still yet to be announced), with DJs and music, as well as special effects throughout.
Of course, there’ll be plenty of pints and scran to fuel the promoter’s famous fan energy on offer too, so you really will be sorted from start to finish.
Doors to the BEC open at 5:30pm, with last entry at 7:30pm ahead of the 8pm kick-off; tickets start from just £8. Until then, you can watch back the highlights from the previous match down below. You can grab yours HERE.
How are you feeling for the final – are Ruben’s Reds going to lift the Europa League trophy?
Georgina Pellant -
25th April 2023 
