The area around Manchester Piccadilly, heading east, has become a hotbed for microbreweries and tap rooms over the last half decade or so. What was once a forgotten corner of the city’s old industrial centre, and more latterly something of a no man’s land, has evolved into a go-to for any fan of exceptional pints made with love, care and fine ingredients. Track Brewing Co. is one of the most respected in terms of its product, and can’t help but leave a lasting impression with its premises, too, placing drinkers in the midst of the entire operation, surrounded by brewing equipment and infrastructure, wooden tables, benches, and bars contrasting the brushed steel with natural fabrics.
If the place looks the part, then the back story is just as convincing. A tale that can be traced back to 2008, when founder Sam set out on a two-year odyssey that would cover five continents, 25 countries and 35,000 miles, on bicycle, his journey from east to west in the United States made one thing clear — microbreweries do more than just make and sell great beer. At their best, they form the backbone of local communities and act as a meeting point for like-minded people. Keen to bring this back to North West England, 2000 square feet of space underneath Piccadilly Station was secured, and what was a dream came to fruition.
Skip to today and things have moved on. Track Brewing Co. now has one of the most enviable reputations of any brewery in the region, and the operation has switched to a new location, bringing the production facility and taproom under one roof. Combining elegant, mature design with exceptional flavours, the range of pales — from West Coast to Triple — are pretty big and varied, and every glassful makes it clear this spot is about quality first and foremost, which the team serve by the keg-load.