The Runaway Brewery Tour & Tasting

Once a beloved fixture in Manchester’s Green Quarter, Runaway Brewery now calls Stockport home – but the passion for small-batch, modern British beer remains firmly intact. Their monthly brewer-led tours offer visitors a chance to get behind the scenes of this independent microbrewery, with plenty of opportunity to taste the results.

Four beers are poured during a relaxed tutored session in the taproom.

Tours begin in the brewery’s taproom, where guests are introduced to Runaway’s story, ethos and approach to brewing. It’s an ideal way to understand what sets this operation apart – a genuine focus on quality, drinkability and considered craftsmanship over trend-chasing. Over the course of around 90 minutes, one of the brewery team will take you through the full brewing process, from the raw ingredients – malt, hops, yeast and water – to the finished pint. You’ll explore how tweaks in process and recipe can dramatically affect flavour, and learn how Runaway creates its distinctive beers, balancing tradition with a modern sensibility.

Naturally, there’s tasting involved. Four beers are poured during a relaxed tutored session in the taproom, often including something from their seasonal or limited edition range. And if the timing’s right, you might even sample a beer straight from the tank – a rare chance to experience it mid-fermentation, fresh and unfiltered.

Runaway’s tours run once a month, usually on a Saturday, and spaces are limited – so booking in advance via their website is strongly advised. Private tours for groups of 10 to 20 people are also available on request, making it a great pick for birthdays, team socials or just a different kind of weekend outing. Only a short walk from Stockport’s train station, the brewery is easy to get to – but the kind of place you’ll want to linger.