Manchester’s craft beer scene has never been stronger, but every now and then a brewery appears with a concept that genuinely stands out.
Enter Tūn Brewing Company, a Chorlton-rooted brewery with a refreshing ethos: great beer should bring people together, celebrate the craft of brewing, and encourage a healthier relationship with alcohol.
Launched just over a year ago, the brewery is already gaining attention for its thoughtful approach to brewing and drinking culture — and I’ve been lucky enough to receive a selection of their beers to review.
Before diving into the beers themselves, it’s worth understanding the story behind the brewery.
A Name With Two Meanings
The name Tūn carries two inspirations.
Firstly, Tūn is an Old English word meaning settlement or community, a nod to the connections beer can foster. The word still exists today in the suffix “-ton”, found in many British place names — including Chorlton, the Manchester neighbourhood the brewery proudly calls home.
Secondly, a tun refers to the brewing vessels used during the beer-making process, such as mash tuns or lauter tuns.
Together, these meanings reflect the brewery’s vision: to create beers that bring people together while honouring the craft of brewing.
Meet the Founder
Founder Richard Alston brings an unusual perspective to brewing.
By profession he is a psychiatrist, which has given him insight into the complexities of Britain’s drinking culture. While there is plenty to celebrate, he believes the future lies in a more mindful relationship with alcohol.
His philosophy centres around “drinking with purpose.”
That means enjoying beer to connect with friends, celebrate moments, pair with food, or simply appreciate the craft behind it — rather than drinking purely for excess.
Brewing itself has been part of Richard’s life since his teenage years. What started as a hobby eventually returned during a difficult period for his own mental health, offering both creative focus and fulfilment. That rediscovered passion ultimately led him to launch Tūn Brewing Company.
Brewing in Chorlton – For Now
All of Tūn’s beer recipes begin life on Richard’s home pilot brewing kit in Chorlton.
The beers are currently contract brewed in Lancashire, which allows the brewery to maintain quality while scaling production until a permanent home becomes possible.
Looking ahead, the long-term vision is to eventually open a dedicated Tūn space in Chorlton — potentially combining a brewery, taproom, shop and community hub.
Richard explains:
“We’ve honestly been overwhelmed by the warmth of the reception we’ve had in Chorlton and across Manchester as a whole. From day one, people have backed what we’re trying to build, and that means everything to us.”
His goal is to create somewhere people can gather to enjoy beer thoughtfully — whether that’s sharing drinks with friends, attending tastings, learning about brewing, watching entertainment, or pairing beer with great food.
Brewing With Purpose
Accessibility is a key part of Tūn’s ethos.
All beers produced by the brewery are:
- Vegan
- Gluten-free
- Designed to be approachable to a wide range of drinkers
But beyond ingredients, the brewery is trying to change the narrative around drinking.
The focus is on quality, connection and enjoyment, encouraging drinkers to savour beer rather than simply consume it.
Where You Can Try Tūn Brewing Company
If you’d like to try the beers in person, the team regularly appear at Altrincham Market, where visitors can meet the brewery and sample their latest releases.
It’s a great way to learn more about the beers and the philosophy behind them.
The Beers I’m Reviewing
I was sent five beers from Tūn Brewing Company to try:
- Archetype
- Daradach
- Gem State of Mind
- Little Monster from the Id
- Quaternity
Here are my tasting notes.
Little Monster from the Id – Beer Review
One of the most approachable beers in the current lineup from Tūn Brewing Company is Little Monster from the Id, a 4% ABV New Zealand-style IPA that leans firmly into drinkability without sacrificing flavour.
New Zealand hops are known for their vibrant fruit character, and that influence comes through clearly here. On the nose, there’s a bright burst of tropical fruit — think hints of mango and passionfruit — backed up by a lively citrus aroma.
Take a sip and the beer reveals its real strength: balance. The body is light and refreshing, making it incredibly easy to drink, while the flavour delivers layers of tropical fruit with a zingy citrus undertone that keeps everything crisp and lively. Unlike many modern IPAs, the bitterness is gentle and restrained, allowing the fruit character to shine rather than overwhelm the palate.
At 4% ABV, it’s the kind of beer that feels perfectly suited to relaxed drinking — the sort you’d happily crack open on a sunny afternoon in the garden or bring along to a barbecue with friends.
It’s also an excellent gateway IPA. For drinkers who sometimes shy away from the sharper bitterness often associated with the style, Little Monster from the Id offers a softer, more approachable introduction while still delivering the flavour complexity craft beer fans expect.
Verdict:
A bright, refreshing New Zealand-style IPA that prioritises balance and drinkability. Light, tropical and quietly complex — a great summer beer and an easy crowd-pleaser.
Archetype – Beer Review
Archetype feels like a beer designed to showcase the foundations of good brewing — clean, balanced and satisfying.
On the nose there are gentle notes of citrus and stone fruit, supported by a light malt backbone. The flavour is crisp and refreshing, with subtle fruit tones layered over a smooth malt base that keeps everything nicely rounded.
There’s a pleasing bitterness on the finish, but it never dominates, instead adding structure and balance to the beer.
Verdict:
A well-balanced and approachable craft beer that demonstrates the brewery’s focus on drinkability and clean flavours.
Daradach – Beer Review
Daradach brings a slightly bolder character to the lineup.
The aroma leans toward deeper malt tones, with hints of caramel and toasted grain complemented by subtle hop notes. On the palate it delivers a fuller mouthfeel, balancing malt sweetness with gentle bitterness.
There’s a warmth and depth to the flavour that makes it feel particularly suited to cooler evenings or pairing alongside food.
Verdict:
A richer and more malt-forward beer that adds variety to the range while still remaining easy to enjoy.
Gem State of Mind – Beer Review
Gem State of Mind is a bright, expressive beer that leans into the fruitier side of modern craft brewing.
Expect vibrant aromas of citrus and tropical fruit, followed by flavours that echo those same juicy notes. There’s a lively freshness to the beer that keeps it refreshing and crisp throughout.
The finish is clean, with a subtle hop bitterness that lifts the overall flavour profile.
Verdict:
Fresh, fruity and full of character — a lively beer that shows off the more modern side of Tūn’s brewing style.
Quaternity – Beer Review
Quaternity rounds out the lineup with a slightly more complex and layered profile.
The aroma offers a mix of light malt sweetness and delicate hop notes, while the flavour unfolds gradually with hints of citrus, gentle bitterness and a smooth, balanced body.
It’s the sort of beer that rewards slower drinking, with subtle flavours that continue to develop as you work through the glass.
Verdict:
A thoughtful, well-rounded beer that highlights the brewery’s careful approach to balance and drinkability.
Final Thoughts
It’s still early days for Tūn Brewing Company, but the foundations already look promising.
With a clear ethos, a strong community focus, and a thoughtful approach to brewing, the brewery feels like it’s building something that goes beyond simply producing beer.
Manchester’s craft beer scene thrives on creativity and independence — and Tūn looks like it could become a very welcome addition.
One to keep an eye on.
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