The UK’s first airport microbrewery is set to open at the newly extended terminal 2 at Manchester Airport where beer produced on site will be available to passengers.
Joseph Holt brewery and The Restaurant Group are opening The Bridgewater Exchange pub, the venue for Europe’s first airside microbrewery, where from next Spring, customers will be able to taste the beer and see it being brewed behind a glazed wall.
A special airport ale is being created to celebrate the partnership and, although the brew is yet to be finalised, it is likely to be honey-based as a nod to the city`s iconic symbol – the Manchester bee.
The microbrewery, which opens next Spring, will include everything needed to produce beer.
Richard Kershaw, chief executive and fifth generation of the Joseph Holt family said:
“We’re very proud of the ales and lagers we already produce and to go into such a development with a microbrewery on site will really show our passion for brewing beer.
“As the capacity of terminal two increases so too will the number of people from all over the world who can enjoy a taste of Manchester`s finest ales.”
Terminal 2 is currently being re-developed as part of Manchester Airport’s £1bn investment project, introducing two-tier piers, doubling the size of T2, reducing off-peak security queues, creating more airport jobs and adding a further 10m passengers over the next ten years.
Manchester Airport predict that they will have the capacity to manage around 35m passengers a year when the new terminal is opened.
The new microbrewery represents Joseph Holt’s 127th outlet.
Nick Ayerst, Managing Director of The Restaurant Group said:
“We couldn’t be more excited that Manchester Airport Group shared our vision and we look forward to unveiling our brand line up and welcoming guests to some of the most exciting airport catering in the world.”
Manchester Airport chief executive Andrew Cowan added:
“We have worked hard to identify partners that represent the strength and depth of the region’s food and drink scene and it is great to be working with so many brands that started life here in the North.”