Cloudwater Brewery

Cloudwater Brewery is based on a fairly non descript industrial estate close to Manchester’s Piccadilly station. If you didn’t know it was there you’d never be any the wiser. Cloudwater host a brewery tour every Saturday morning starting at 10.45. You can check availability and buy tickets here Just make sure you allow enough time to find it!

Cloudwater Facts

  • The brewery only started production in February 2015
  • The online store opened in 2017
  • Cloudwater was voted second best brewer in the world in the 2017 Ratebeer awards.
  • They do not produce a core range of beers and have a creative philosophy in their brewing
  • Wheat and oats are used to give the finished beer mouthfeel. They release proteins which bond with chemicals from hops. The beer is hazy/cloudy and  this will eventually sediment out. This is why such beers have a short shelf life.
  • Freshness is key and their beers have three dates on the beers. COD – canned on date. FFB – freshest flavour before date and BBE – best before date.
  • There is a terroir aspect to hops, some of the best coming from the USA and New Zealand. Hops are a significant expense in the brewing process.
  • Beers are centrifuged before canning/bottling to remove suspended particles of yeast/hops and so produce a better balance in the beer

Cloudwater have a taproom just a short walk from the brewery itself. Located in the railway arches on Sheffield Street very close to piccadilly station.

The Beers

  1. Cloudwater DDH Centennial Pale 5.5%. Orange/amber in appearance, hazy, small white head. Aromas of orange, lemon and slightly tropical. Flavour is burnt orange and grassy, low bitterness, smooth. Slight bitterness on the finish. Very drinkable.
  2. Cloudwater DIPA V3.1 8.5%. Yellow/orange, cloudy in appearance, small head. Aromas of mango, citrus, banana, and pineapple. Mouthfeel is good, full, smooth and creamy. Low bitterness, quite sweet. Flavour is complex with tropical fruits, caramel and pine. An interesting and excellent beer.
  3. Cloudwater DIPA V3 2018 8.5%. The recreation of a beer first made in 2016. Deep yellow/gold with the very slightest haze, small light tan coloured head. Intense aroma of grapefruit, orange, tropical fruit and malt. Palate is rich and creamy with medium bitterness. Flavours of orange, mango and caramel. The finish is long with a hint of bitter orange. (Can)
  4. Cloudwater Session Pale Laurel 4.5%. Yellow, cloudy, light head. Aromas of citrus – lemon and grapefruit. Palate is soapy, pine, resin. Lingering finish.
  5. Cloudwater Pilsner Motueka Mandarine 5%. Pours yellow/gold with a slight haze and a small persistent head and nice lacing. Delicate aromas of grapefruit and orange.. Lovely mouthfeel, creamy with a gentle bitter tang and a touch of sweetness. Flavour of malt, caramel and citrus. Clean and refreshing. Very nice. (Can)
  6. Cloudwater Small IPL Citra 2.9%. Orange/yellow, hazy and pours with a good white head. Aromas of grapefruit and orange. There is a good flavour of citrus with a nice burnt orange edge. Dry with medium minus bitterness. Very drinkable. (Can)

Cloudwater may not make the cheapest beer around but considering the attention to detail that goes into their production they are well worth it. Beers are well made, characterful, packed with flavour and are very drinkable. Try them, you won’t be disappointed.