BrewDog Manchester

If there’s somewhere I can guarantee frequent review updates on, it’s BrewDog. An old faithful in terms of drinking dens, it’s had my custom on more occasions than I’d care to admit. Although it remains consistent in regards to branding — that standard BrewDog, in your face spirit — their beer, menu and staff all change. So time to update.
We visited on a Saturday night so, naturally, it was practically rammed. However, when comparing the queues down the street for Albert’s Schloss and Revs de Cuba, I counted myself lucky for even being able to get in! A booth table quickly became free and the three of us set up for the evening.
The guys headed up to the bar to try a few of the different beers, and I had a Sideburns cider, which was served cold and crisp. It’s the food that has especially changed since I last visited; going from BBQ to burgers, I haven’t been compelled to eat here in a while as I think they shunned their mac & cheese and brisket dishes too soon, but the fact we had a seat eventually swayed me.
The other half and I shared some hot chicken wings, chilli tater tots and a juicey lucey burger. The wings were great — I’m a big fan of them being served so rustically, meaning you can imagine them actually attached to the chicken — and I could’ve eaten a bowl of the chilli on the tots alone. Unfortunately the burger was a big disappointment, with no melted cheese to be seen anywhere, and so salty I only ate half.
The sides have bought me back round to considering BrewDog more than just a loyal boozer, though I think they should focus their efforts here rather than on burgers or big plates. Quick, easy and affordable.

I like BrewDog. But they are trying really hard to grow fast, and I hope they can stay relevant and interesting while doing so. This was the first time at their Manchester venue and it lived up to their standards. Lots of bearded people.

Final leg of the (pub) tour of Manchester brought us to BrewDog for some after dinner drinks. Now BrewDog is well familiar to me as living in London there are several branches around. I’m not usually a person who goes out of my way to go to a BrewDog, as their strong beers are usually over-​hopped and not to my palate, but I’m also not someone who refuses to go, as I usually have a good time.
It’s got the usual hipstery BrewDog feel, and I ended up ordering the chai-​spiced porter (¹⁄₃ pint because it’s like 10% APV or something ridiculous). There didn’t seemed to be much seating, but luckily Michael and Emily knew about the upstairs part, so we headed up there and perched on the couches.
It was an enjoyable time and the chai-​spiced porter was fantastic. So that helps me like a place.

I am a fan although I do think this place is a bit expensive really. I like that there is seating outside, and also a good amount of space inside, although I think you are likely to need to arrive early if you want a table. They do some food too although I am hoping this will be something to try on my next visit.

As an Equity Punk myself I easily spotted the Brew Dog logo as I walked through Manchester the other day on my way to the office. However it was 8:30 am and I decided that, even for me, that was a bit too early for a beer!
When lunchtime beckoned however, and knowing that Brew Dog was on my route back to the Railway Station, you know where my belly took me!
I didn’t have long and luckily the service was helpful & efficient and I was soon tucking into my ‘Juicy Lucy’ burger with a craft beer alongside (see what I did there???).
A fabulous choice of beers, a good snack type menu and cool surroundings… this is why I love Brew Dog and it’s business model!
Why not 5*…I feel that prices for food are a little on the high side for what it is… but hey I’m an investor so maybe I shouldn’t complain too much! And, aftrer all, I do get a good 20% discount during the week! :-)

Let it be known, I am a massive fan of Brewdog. Whenever I’m near one I pretty much find it my duty to go in and have a pint of Punk IPA. Whilst the Manchester branch may not have the spectacular view of Kelvingrove art gallery that the Glasgow one does, I always find myself having a great night here.
The food is pretty damn tasty too, with the tatter tots with chilli and cheese being a particular favourite of our group. What we do always find ourselves doing though is breaking out the cards against humanity and settling down for a night of laughs and good beer. Get there early though, as the booths tend to fill up pretty quick.

I popped in here for a cheeky pint after an evening meal. The place was rather busy but the service was still fast and friendly. I didn’t realise this place did meals, I thought it was just nibbles and finger food so I was pleasantly surprised to see people eating proper meals, possibly somewhere to try in future.
There’s a wide choice of beers available and for those who aren’t aren’t a fan of beers they also have their own selection of soft drinks, wines and whisky.
Great atmosphere plus there’s board games to play if you’re up for a laugh and can grab a table.
Close to public transport links and there’s a taxi rank right outside so crawling home is made easy at this great location :)

A belated review of BrewDog, on at least my fourth visit.
I demanded a tiny amount of delicious beer as was presented with a flight which is basically IDEAL for me as I got two small glass of light ale which I really enjoyed.
I hate the BrewDog décor, it’s ugly and looks like it isn’t finished and doesn’t make we want to stay there. I know it’s their aesthetic but it could be done better (see TwentyTwentyTwo for e. g, or their own Underdog in Shoreditch).
But now I know about this whole tiny glasses thing I shall be back more often.
That chef who made the best pulled pork I’ve had in the UK has it seems left, it’s no longer on the menu which is very sad indeed. The menu did actually look good though, another thing to try!

I do have to declare upfront that I am a shareholder in Brewdog, but it is only four shares and just so that I get invited to the famous AGM each year so it is a fairly impartial review.
Brewdog beers do not need any introduction with a selection of their own brewed beers, supplemented by some guest beers and a very good stock of bottles and cans as well, all from independent breweries.
The bar is split into two with the ground floor level being bright (ish) and with the feel you’d expect from Brewdog, a few booths, a few high seated stools and tables. Upstairs however, there is a chesterfield sofa seated area which is intimate but if you are eating up there, don’t expect to see what you are eating!
The standard of food is pretty good, if limited. The chilli burger isn’t too hot and spicy but has just about enough zing to it that you aren’t going to slurp your beer down too quickly.

Brew Dog is great.
I’ve been here loads of times in the past, once this summer for a World Cup panini sticker swapping event (no I’m not fourteen) and plenty of times before that just for drinks with mates.
They have, as you would expect, a huge variety of beers and ales on their menu — I’m not usually one for drinking pints, but in here it seems silly not to! On Tuesday I came here with my two new flatmates and some of his mates too — so pints it was.
Brew Dog has a great relaxed atmosphere where you can talk and get to know one another. The staff were friendly too and if you’re feeling it, there are some board games in the corner that you can play. This, I love!
I’ve only had a burger here before, and it was a while back but from what i remember it was great.
Burger, Pint, Scrabble — anyone?

In short:
Atmosphere: warm and woody with limited lightings like your general pubs with casual sofas on the top floor.
Beers: Delicious British made beer that has been brewed in Aberdeen, which includes lagers and pale ales. The best part about Brewdog is their craft beers which are brewed in limited quantities for those who are beer connoisseur.
WIFI is available upon request which makes this a great place to work on your laptop instead of the traditional cafes. Plugs are available on the ground floor but not the top.

Beer heaven but pricy.
I’ve been to Brewdog quite a few times. The first was for the amazing Christmas event with Unilocal last year then every couple of months since. The interior is great but usually quite busy so it’s not easy to get a table at the times we usually go.
The beer selection is rally good, as you would expect, but they also have wine and spirits. I’ve asked them to make a dark and stormy cocktail for my before and they happily obliged.
The staff are very knowledgeable about the drinks so if you are unsure what you might like just ask. I wanted mulled wine which they don’t do but try happily recommended a beer they had used previously to make something like mulled wine.
I haven’t had the food since last Christmas but it was excellent then and another Unilocaler I know has great taste assures me the burgers are fantastic now. Overall a great place but do watch the prices, a few pints can easily add up here.