This year marks a major milestone for one of Manchester’s most iconic sites, as HEINEKEN UK’s Manchester Brewery celebrates 150 years of brewing excellence in the city.
Founded in 1875 by William Brooks as the Albert Brewery in Moss Side, the site has been at the heart of Manchester’s brewing heritage ever since. Over the past century and a half, the brewery has seen remarkable evolution, from producing Red Tower Lager, the first lager brewed in the UK, to becoming authorised to brew Heineken® outside the Netherlands.
Today, HEINEKEN Manchester brews around 2.2 million pints every day of some of the nation’s favourite beers, including Heineken®, Birra Moretti, Cruzcampo, Foster’s, Amstel and Red Stripe.
Boudewijn Haarsma, Managing Director, HEINEKEN UK, said: “Manchester has an incredible brewing legacy, and we are proud to be part of it. For 150 years, this site has been home to passionate brewers who have helped shape the UK’s beer landscape. Our continued investment in HEINEKEN Manchester reflects our long-term commitment to brewing in this great city - one known around the world for its creativity, innovation, and community spirit.”
Technical operator, Danny Donohue, has worked at the brewery for 39 years, and is one of the longest serving people at HEINEKEN Manchester. He said: “I first started under Scottish & Newcastle in the mid 1980s and have worked in nearly every department at some point! Back then, it was much more hands-on, as the biggest change I’ve seen has been the incredible improvement in technology throughout the brewing process. There have been so many memorable moments, most of them thanks to my fantastic colleagues, but one that stands out was the visit from His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales in October 1987. When I started in 1986, I never imagined I’d still be here nearly forty years later, but the time has truly flown by.”
Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said: “The Heineken brewery is an historical landmark in Greater Manchester and we are proud of its legacy. Whilst an important part of the city’s history it is also a big part of the city’s future, investing in net-zero innovation helping us reach our own carbon neutral target of 2038 and investing in our people through apprenticeships and training.”
As HEINEKEN UK looks to the future, the Manchester Brewery is leading the company’s global ambition to reach net zero in production by 2030. The site recently introduced cutting-edge heat pump technology - a key step in reducing carbon emissions and securing a sustainable future for the next generation of brewers.
From its beginnings in the Victorian era to becoming a global brewing hub, HEINEKEN Manchester remains an enduring symbol of Manchester’s industrial strength, innovation, and pride.