Northwest Food News – October 2015

Chorlton favourite The Beagle kicks off the Halloween shenanigans early with its month-long Day of the Deadfest (1-31 Oct). Expect spooktacular (sorry!) reworkings of Mexican favourites, from avocado-laden tortillas to a creamy cheesecake spiked with tequila, Grand Marnier and lime. Scarily good. beaglesabout.com

Having rewritten the rules of the British beer festival, the Indy Man Beer Con returns to Manchester’s iconic Victoria Baths this month (8-11 Oct). Founded by the team behind Common and Port Street Beer House, the festival aims to bring together the most progressive, forward thinking breweries from across the UK, Europe and USA for a multi-sensory beer extravaganza. Beyond the stellar lineup of tastings and workshops, revellers can enjoy culinary delights from the likes of Honest Crust and Almost Famous, alongside an impressive music programme curated by Manchester label Aficionado. indymanbeercon.co.uk

Something offal this way comes! Fear not, it’s just the latest supper club from catering magician Iain Devine, aka The Drunken Butcher. Famed for his obsessive love of using every part of the animal, Iain looks to celebrate all things offal with a five-course menu and a wine offering to match. One look at the menu is enough to convince any skeptic, but book early; this guy knows how to pull in the crowds. 21 Oct, The Fat Loaf, Sale, 7pm-11pm. thedrunkenbutcher.co.uk

Liverpool’s Hope Street is getting all the action this month. Moose and Moonshine is the newest addition to the ever-growing Moose Coffee family, and aims to be the city’s first ‘Poutinerie.’ Combining the best of the Moose breakfast and brunch menu with a new Canadian/French evening offering, it’s one to watch. mooseandmoonshine.co.uk

Fans of the street’s Everyman Bistro should rejoice – Paddy Byrne, the man behind the magic, has opened up shop next door. The Pen Factory – named after the pen company based there in the late 1800s – is a bright, laid-back space offering a range of seasonal small plates, continental beers and bespoke cocktails. The vast, herb-filled beer garden is a highlight (weather permitting) and a dream spot for wiling away a few hours. pen-factory.co.uk

And last but not least, we’re offering a hearty – if not belated – shout-out to Home at Honest Coffee. Conceived as a free, co-working space and artisan coffee shop, this neat, Kickstarter-funded project is a welcome addition to Salford’s ever-impressive Chapel Street. Check it out for all things thinking, drinking, eating and meeting. @Honest_Coffee