Cloudwater Taproom

Cloudwater is one of the most respected breweries in the country and their Manchester taproom is where you drink it freshest. Tucked into the Piccadilly Trading Estate – an area of railway arches and industrial units that’s become a proper beer destination – the taproom is stripped back, honest, and entirely focused on what’s coming out of the taps.

The lineup changes constantly. Cloudwater’s range covers everything from hazy IPAs to stouts, sours, lagers, and pale ales, and the taproom usually has 15-20 beers on at any time. Many of them are taproom exclusives or fresh batches that place’t been canned yet. If you care about beer, this is as good as it gets in Manchester. The IPAs in particular are – the brewery’s reputation was built on them and the taproom is where they taste best.

The space is a converted railway arch – concrete floors, steel beams, communal tables, no pretence. There’s usually a food truck or kitchen residency running, and the quality tends to be good because Cloudwater pick their partners carefully. Outside seating appears in warmer months.

The crowd is beer people. Not exclusively – anyone’s welcome – but the conversation tends to drift towards hops and yeast before long. Staff are knowledgeable without being gatekeeping about it. They’ll happily pour tasters if you’re not sure what to go for. Essential drinking in Manchester.