BRÍD’S CROSS (pronounced Breed’s Cross) is the name for the symbol of the Irish goddess Bríd. In her Christianized form of St Bridget, she is a patron saint of brewers.

Having won awards for his home-brew, Sean took the plunge into commercial brewing in September 2023, producing a range of traditional cask ales, as well as modern beer styles in keg and can. Their beers are inspired by, and named after, folk tales and mythology associated with the British Isles. Bríd’s Cross produce beers inspired by the mythology and folklore of the British Isles Brid's Cross Brewing beers are available in cask across venues throughout Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Yorkshire, London, Essex and Suffolk. Permanent lines of their beers at The Baum, Rochdale, and Red Lion, Littleborough.

Brightside, Radcliffe

Brightside is a 20-barrel, family-run brewery producing cask ales, craft keg beers and lagers. A broad range of styles is produced, and new seasonal casks are produced every 6-8 weeks to keep the line-up interesting. It has a brewery shop onsite for collections, and a web shop for local and national deliveries. Brightside prides itself on working as sustainably as possible by recycling, reusing waste products and limiting energy expenditure.

Deeply Vale, Bury

Deeply Vale is a family-run business established in 2012. The brewery's name immortalises the Deeply Vale area near Bury, famed for legendary 1970s music festivals. The range of traditional beers with a modern twist produced from the 10-barrel plant are distributed largely across North West England and West Yorkshire.

Irwell Works, Ramsbottom

Irwell Works have been brewing since 2010 in a building that once housed the Irwell Works steam, tin, copper and iron works. The brewery has a 6 barrel plant, and brews 8 regular beers, plus a range of seasonal beers. There is a very pleasant brewery tap on the first floor (which was judged joint-winner of Bury Town Pub of the Year 2025) with most of the brewery’s beers available.

J W Lees, Middleton

Family-owned since its foundation by John Lees in 1828, the brewery has a tied estate of around 150 pubs, mostly in North Manchester, Cheshire, Lancashire and North Wales. The vast majority serve cask beer. Seasonal beers are produced and an in-house microbrewery, Boilerhouse, also produces a wide range of cask beers. The current Brewing and Managing Directors are family members.

Phoenix Brewery (Oak Brewing Co Ltd) was founded in 1982 by Tony Allen. It relocated to the striking red brick Heywood site (built in 1898) and changed name in 1991. The first microbrewery in Manchester, it gained a strong following in the North West. Tony Allen died in 2021, and the brewery was saved by a family team (now run by two sisters). It continues to brew the classics, and also new brews and bottled beers.

The brewery was established in 2000 and supplies free trade outlets in the North West and West Yorkshire. Famed for the consistency and clarity of its brews and its ever-changing single hop series of beers

Serious, Rochdale

Established in 2015 and run by Ken Lynch. The beers are brewed in Rochdale on a six-barrel plant. The focus is on producing top quality beers drawing on influences from traditional British ales, US craft beers and artisinal Belgian beers. Many outlets are supplied direct and the beers are available nationwide through wholesalers.

Sheriffs Good Head, Rochdale

This logo links to a Facebook page which appears not to have been updated recently

Thought to be a one man operation, and probably not brewing full-time, Kevin Lawman provided two of their beers to be served at Oldham Beer and Cider Festival in April 2025. These were very well received, and generated some positive feedback. (Notice the beer names,….Magnum and Die Hard….see the connection with brewer’s surname and brewery name? Clever eh?)

Tin Head, Radcliffe

Established in 2017, run by a father and son who are passionate about beers. Its popular taproom seats around 60 and offers live music from solo artists. Beers are brewed as per real ale but dispensed as chilled keg.

Registered office is on Middleton Road, Royton. Brewing premises are at Parkside Industrial Estate, Oldham. Awaiting news from members about this relatively new brand.

Twisted Mule, Rochdale

A recent addition to local breweries, based at Spotland Bridge Mill, with a characterful on-site Tap house. Brewing commenced December 2024, initially to supply other Howarth Brewing pubs in the area, such as Cap and Whippet and the Pint Pot.

Wakey Wakey, Rochdale

Cask ale brewery in the heart of Rochdale - based in the Flying Horse Hotel & Brewhouse. The core range covers both modern and traditional styles and are occasionally served from a wooden cask. Several seasonal ales and collaborations are brewed throughout the year. Anthony and Leanne serve their beers from the cellar on numerous open day/weekends throughout the year.

We Are Wolf, Uppermill

Set in an idyllic location near St Chad’s Church, Saddleworth Brewery started brewing in 1997 in a 120-year old brewhouse at the Church Inn , in a valley overlooking Saddleworth Moor. By mid 2023 Saddleworth was closed and the brewing facilities taken over by We Are Wolf Brewing who now make three cask beers. Their beers are available in the adjacent Church Inn, a few pubs in the area and they run occasional taproom days in a bar next door. Collaboration brews with other local breweries have been popular too