Alphabet Brewing Company ceases trading

The Manchester-based brewery has made hop-forward, fruit-led beers since 2014. The business claimed beers were brewed with “passion” and “quality”.

The team took to Twitter to make the announcement. A spokesperson said: “Today we have to announce the end of Alphabet Brewing Co.

“We’d like to thank everyone who drank a Juice Springsteen, popped down to the taproom and supported us.

“We love you all for making our dreams of having an independent brewery in Manchester come true.”

The announcement was met with the disappointment of fans. “Gutted,” said TV producer Ilona Burton, “I love a Juice Springsteen”.

Heartbreak

Some called the closure “heart-breaking” and a “huge loss” to the industry. However, others remembered the good times. “Thanks for the memories,” said one user.

ABC’s former head brewer asked anyone who knew of jobs going in Manchester to let him now, after the closure put him and his partner out of work.

The brewery’s taproom was open 1pm to 8pm on Saturdays and the brewery also offered private tours.

It’s the latest in a line of Manchester-based breweries to shut for good.

Closed doors

Manchester Brewing Company ceased trading in January due to debts incurred during lockdown, the impact of the cost-of-living crisis and spiralling costs.

Beatnikz Republic Brewery was also forced to close last year, with rising prices being the “last straw” after two years of Covid-related difficulties.  

Closing the brewery had been at the back of Greetham’s mind for a while. During Covid, the company was in survival mode, yet the price increases had “slowly eroded away the confidence”. 

“Even if you were selling, and even if you were selling well, and even if you could leverage whatever products, the costs involved with it were just too much,” he said.