MANCHESTER BEER WEEK OFFICIAL BEER PULLS IN A CROWD FOR THE FIRST TASTING

A hotly anticipated beer brewed in collaboration between JW Lees Brewery and Cloudwater Brew Co was launched. The special event was held for the first tastes of MCR FOLD a partnership between Manchester’s oldest brewery and one of the city’s most celebrated and innovative modern brewers.

180 barrels of the beer have been produced, brewed with 100% British malt and 250kg of British hops. The limited edition ale is available to order from today (31st May 2016), but many of the North West’s pubs and bars have pre-ordered anticipating high demand.

Michael Lees-Jones, Head Brewer at JW Lees, said: We’ve combined old craft and new craft for Manchester Beer Week. MCR FOLD is an extra hopped, 4.8% ABV auburn ale packed full of spicy and citrusy flavours coming from traditional Pridewood Farm Goldings and innovative Townend Farm Olicana, it’s a powerful ale that delivers on taste and quality.”

Paul Jones Cofounder of Cloudwater Brew Co said, “This is a marriage of traditional and modern Manchester beer, it is a new expression of JW Lees character. We used a week’s worth of hops in a day!”

Mcr Fold is the official beer of Manchester Beer Week and is available in cask and keg throughout venues across the city. Inspired by the Manchester community of brewers, the name MCR FOLD signifies the unity of Manchester breweries and represents a landmark moment for the Manchester beer scene. The quirky, contemporary pump clip design features bespoke artwork from Aliyah Hussain and it sure to stand out on the bar.

Organiser of Manchester Beer Week, Connor Murphy, said: “The brewing of MCR Fold was a key element of Manchester Beer Week as it neatly captures the ethos of the festival, bridging the perceived gap between traditional ale and craft beer while encouraging increased collaboration between the different beer scenes.”

As well as a collaboration of breweries, MCR FOLD features a collaboration of hops sourced from British farms; Olicana from Mark and Leslie Andrews, The Townend Farm, Bosburys and Goldings from Martin and Julia Powell-Tuck, Pridewood Farm Ashperton, Ledbury. The 100% British hopped beer is also brewed using 100% British malt and JW Lees yeast which is over 4000 generations. This 4.8% ABV, extra hopped auburn ale captures elements from both hop farms and breweries, combining a time-tested traditional approach with bold, modern flavours and techniques.

Manchester Beer Week will take place between the 10th and 19th June and the city’s best breweries, pubs, bars and restaurants are set to be involved. Unlike most beer festivals which are set in one location, Manchester Beer week will be celebrated city-wide in an aim to promote the Manchester beer scene and raise awareness about its rich tradition and modern innovation.