Tip-top tap!
New venue at brewery to offer comedy and music as part of brothers’ ambitious plans to expand business
BEER lovers can enjoy a pint while ale is made all around them now a stylish ‘taproom’ has opened at a revamped brewery.
The Den has launched at the Congleton based Beartown Brewery after the site was given a makeover.
It comes as the brothers behind the brewery are eyeing up plans for comedy nights, and to show big sporting events on a giant projector screen. They also want to expand their businesses into the Potteries, and regularly introduce new beers.
Joe and Mike Manning have overseen the brewery’s overhaul, which includes a mezzanine area for the taproom where customers can enjoy a range of beers.
Joe, aged 37, and 31-year-old Mike bought the brand in 2017. They have run Congleton’s Ye Olde White Lion since 2009, and also own the town’s Wonky Pear and Beartown Tap. In 2015 they decided to ‘move up the food chain’ and began making beer as Manning Brewers.
Beartown was established in 1994 - and now the ambitious brothers are looking forward to seeing it through to its 30th birthday.
Joe said: “We took it on in 2017 as a functioning brewery – but we really built the trade up. We took the trade from about 200,000 pints a year to 1,000,000 pints a year.
“The new equipment, as it stands, can do 3,000,000 pints, which is why we upscaled. If we want to add some more fermenters, we can get to five times that much.”
Meanwhile, the business is running a campaign called the Dirty Dozen – which will see a new beer unveiled every month with Inception the June instalment.
Joe said: “Inception is a 4.4% IPA, it’s a session IPA, as in, you’re meant to have more than just one. It’s designed to challenge competitors like Beavertown and Tiny Rebel.
“Month on month we’ll have new beers, lots of exciting beers, anything from a 2.7 per cent table beer all the way to an 11 per cent imperial stout. It’s a new beer every month.”
The brothers had some work to do when they first arrived at the brewery.
Joe said: “It was a functional working brewery but it had endured the tests of time. The floor sloped away from the drains, so we spent all day every day brushing the water towards the drains.
“Now the floor slopes towards the drains and we have a beautiful premises we’re able to show off.”
The pair also want to grow their pubs portfolio, replicating the styles of their Congleton pubs in Stoke-on-trent.
Their comedy festival will take place at the brewery on July 15 to July 17 – which will host performers from the Edinburgh Fringe. It will feature shows from Phil Ellis, Tom Binns, Ali Brice, Red Richardson and Sam Nicoresti, who was Leicester Square New Comedian of the Year in 2021.
The brothers plan to stage a jazz and blues festival in August and to project Rugby’s Six Nations games live onto the wall. Last week they welcomed customers to a showcase of their efforts – with guests enjoying their first pint for free.
Joe said: “It was to thanks for the neighbours for putting up with the noise – and thanks to the town. They’ve supported us, and with their support, it’s given us the confidence that we can go forward with this project.”
For more information visit the Beartown Brewery website.