Chorlton Off Licence

Craft beer heaven. That’s what this place is!
I don’t know how this place slipped under my radar for so long. I think part of the problem was the name of the store Chorlton Off License. You don’t usually associate an off license with a selection of great craft beers. You tend to only look for craft beer in specialist beer/​wine shops. However, Chorlton Off License is leading the way in changing the perception of an off license.
There range of beers is nothing short of spectacular and when you walk in you will instantly think WOW… I think I actually shouted it out loud when I walked in for the first time.
To your immediate right is a fridge that runs half the length of the store keeping those hoppy beers chilled. What you have to remember is that hoppy beers need to be kept cold to preserve the hop flavour and aroma. Some of the beers on offer here have travelled from half way across the World they have beers from America, Australia Europe etc, so it’s important to store them correctly to retain the full flavour profile that the brewers intended. It’s also nice that when you are in a hurry you can pick up a chilled craft beer ready to crack open when you get home at the right temperature.
After the fridge the rest of the wall is covered in shelving where you will mainly find a who’s who of the best breweries in the UK. They have a large selection of beers from The Kernel, don’t be fooled by The Kernel’s boring brown labels. This brewery is producing some of the best beers in the UK and it’s very impressive to see such a large collection of Kernel beers outside of London.
At the back of the store you will find cases of craft beer and a fridge dedicated to craft beer cans. Cans of beer in the UK are often associated with low quality, mass produced, flavourless beer from massive corporate breweries. However, canned beer is far superior to bottled beer as it seals all the freshness in. UV light damages beer and can create off flavours if its exposed to light and stored incorrectly. Oxygen can also seep into a bottle via the seals around bottle cap. With a can no light can get through to harm the beer and the seal is very tight letting no oxygen in. Lots of craft brewers are now providing their beers in cans and it’s really good to see that Chorlton Off License has a fridge dedicated solely to craft beer cans.
They also have a very good range of wines and other beers for the average consumer. It’s really nice to see they are trying to cater for everyone, whilst also trying to open up the World of great beer to a wider audience. Every time I have been in the guy behind the counter has been so chatty and friendly and really passionate about what he is doing there and that also makes a big difference to your overall experience.
This place is only a short tram ride from where I live and I wish I had discovered this place sooner. There is no excuse not to visit this place and its easily accessible from anywhere in Manchester via the tram. If you like craft beers, at a great price, then I cannot recommend this place highly enough. This is my go to bottle shop from now on.