The best tasting experiences in Manchester

Stubborn Mule is a solo beer brewing endeavour situated in a residential area of Altrincham. This independent local brewery takes pride in its contemporary, artisanal beers, each individually conditioned and crafted from fresh ingredients. Their on-site taproom features their newest creations in a warm, inviting atmosphere that frequently hosts tastings and various other events.

Backed by craft beer mainstay BrewDog, Doghouse is the hotel every beer fan dreams of, with the rooms boasting unique perks like a bathroom beer fridge and in-room beer taps. On the roof, there's also a bar where you can enrol in Beer School, a guided tasting experience featuring five BrewDog beers accompanied by a cheese board—the in-depth dives into the world of craft beer last 90 minutes.

Runaway Brewery in Stockport offers modern beers brewed with traditional techniques. You can visit the industrial-themed taproom to sample drinks from their ten keg lines and two cask lines. In addition to an informative peek behind the curtain and a detailed explanation of the brewing process, their brewer-led tours include a tutored tasting of four Runaway beers.

Seven brothers and four sisters are behind this Salford venue – the former takes care of the beer brewing, while the latter is in charge of distilling the gin. This unique venue is a vibrant, buzzy spot for enjoying locally crafted drinks and tasty pub grub, and you can even learn how to make gin in the on-site distillery. Alternatively, for a more casual look at the history of gin, you can book a guided gin-tasting session.

The Liquor Store, a rock 'n' roll-themed cocktail bar, stays open late into the night. This lively venue offers inventive cocktails you won't find elsewhere, alongside classic concoctions, with each menu cover reimagining a famous album cover featuring the staff. The vibrant bar also hosts interactive gin masterclasses, where you'll delve into the art of gin-making and enjoy a gin-tasting session.

The Spirit of Manchester Distillery is a beloved city establishment celebrated for its top-notch spirits. It creates an array of handcrafted gins, vodkas, and liqueurs, each reflecting the essence of the city. The distillery has gained a reputation as a cutting-edge facility, capable of producing over one million bottles annually. They're also known for using premium ingredients and traditional methods. Visit to sample their award-winning products in a range of spirit-tasting experiences in the heart of Manchester.

For music lovers and whiskey enthusiasts in the Northern Quarter, The Whiskey Jar is the go-to venue. Every weekend, it hosts live performances and a variety of events, including whiskey tastings, whisky festivals, and open mic nights. The bar in a converted textile mill offers an impressive selection of whiskies and whiskeys, as well as an array of cocktails.

Peter Street Kitchen offers a unique culinary experience by combining Japanese and Mexican cuisines. Located in the historic Free Trade Hall, this modern restaurant features a grand and impressive dining area. You can book their Japanese Whisky Masterclass for a unique tasting experience taking you back through 100 years of Suntory whisky, with a tasting flight of four premium Japanese whiskies included.

The world of wine is intricate and captivating, making tastings a sought-after activity for those eager to delve deeper into its nuances. Whether you're a veteran oenophile or a newcomer to the realm of wine, Manchester offers tasting experiences tailored to your level. Learn new things and discover a new favourite vintage with the help of our guide to the top wine tastings in Manchester.

Northern Wine School is a great place for learning about wine, but that's not all they offer. Their varied range of tastings and courses includes a cheese and wine tasting that reveals to the perfect pairing. The two-hour sessions feature a knowledgeable host guiding you through six specially selected wines and six artisan cheeses, accompanied by bread, crackers, and other fromage paraphernalia.

The Manchester Cheese Crawl is the perfect walking tour for cheese enthusiasts. Your guide will lead you through various cheesemakers in Manchester, where you'll discover interesting cheese facts, engage in fun games, and meet the cheesemongers, all while sampling an array of local cheeses. To enhance the experience, wine is also included in the tour.

Drawing inspiration from the rich maritime history of Salford Docks, the Salford Rum Company crafts small-batch spiced rum. Nestled within a railway arch, their Dirty Old Town Distillery provides the Spiced Rum Experience – a 60-minute session featuring a guided tasting of four Salford Rums, two skilfully crafted rum cocktails, and an abundance of insights into the history of Salford Docks and the company's origins.