You may have missed it, but today marks Beer Day Britain, the UK's national beer day. The annual event, which was instigated by Jane Peyton, an award-winning beer sommelier, drinks educator and broadcaster in 2015, is a chance to celebrate the best brews in the land.
Backed by the British Beer and Pub Association, the Society of Independent Brewers, and the Campaign for Real Ale, it culminates in a National Cheers To Beer at 7pm this evening. So, the question is, which Greater Manchester watering hole or beer garden will you be raising a pint glass in to mark the occasion?
As we all know, Manchester has a pub for every possible mood, whether you're after somewhere for a quiet afternoon pint, an after-work quick one that turns into a full-on crawl, or spontaneous karaoke session that no one saw coming. We also have some excellent beer gardens where you can enjoy a refreshing pint and soak up the rays - from rooftop terraces like YES, to hidden gems like Society.
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And now, one of Manchester's many beer gardens has been named as one of the best in the country. Escape to Freight Island in the city centre has made it onto the list of 25 Best Beer Gardens in England, and is the only Greater Manchester spot to make the cut.
The list has been compiled by travel website, Big 7 Travel, and includes a number of scenic and buzzing spots across the country, including Escape to Freight Island in at number 27. Entries close to Manchester include the Cholmondeley Arms in Malpas, Cheshire, Kazimier Garden in Liverpool, and The George in Alstonefield in Staffordshire.
The list has been developed using a comprehensive scoring system, which covers everything from ambience and scenery to food and drink, making it a useful resource for those looking to enjoy a pint al fresco. The best places are ranked using 9 criteria points including online reviews, value for money, atmosphere and service, and location and accessibility.
The entry for Manchester's best beer garden reads: "Escape to Freight Island is one of the largest outdoor spaces in the city, so you’ll never be stuck for a seat. When the sun is shining, it feels more Balearic than British, thanks to its live music, expertly-made cocktails and wafting aromas from the nine independent food vendors stationed outside.
"The raked terrace is split into a dozen different areas lined with comfy booths, plus a covered area for when the skies inevitably open (it is England after all)."
Escape To Freight Island, the former railways depot turned outdoor beer garden and food hall, opened in 2020, and was purpose built for those now long gone, socially distanced times. Situated on a largely disused patch of land behind Manchester Piccadilly, the sprawling development features one of the biggest outdoor spaces in the city, and boasts a raked terrace with comfy little booths all around the edge.
Meanwhile, Freight Island's industrial indoor space features a rotating selection of food and drink outlets from some of the city's most accomplished restaurants and bars, including Mia’s Arepas, Smoking Coal, Koko Sushi, Lazy Tony’s, Fryby, Payal, Fuku, Oh My Cheesecake and more. Drinks wise, wine and cocktails are served up by the likes of Forever Changes and The Jane Eyre.
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