150 years of production: Heineken Manchester Brewery leads net zero charge

Heineken UK’s Manchester Brewery is marking a landmark 150th anniversary this year, celebrating its deep roots in the city while affirming its position as a cutting-edge hub for sustainable, high-volume beverage production.

The site, originally founded in 1875 as the Albert Brewery, has been instrumental in the UK’s brewing history — notably pioneering the first UK-brewed lager, Red Tower. Today, the Manchester facility is a global production powerhouse, rolling out approximately 2.2 million pints every day of key European brands including Heineken, Birra Moretti, Cruzcampo, Foster’s, Amstel, and Red Stripe.

While celebrating its legacy, the brewery is focused on the future, leading Heineken UK’s global ambition to achieve net zero production by 2030. This commitment is underscored by recent, significant capital investment in advanced technology at the site.

The Manchester facility recently introduced cutting-edge heat pump technology — a pivotal step in drastically reducing its carbon emissions. This move ensures the site is not just preserving its heritage, but actively securing a sustainable future for the next generation of brewing professionals.

Boudewijn Haarsma, managing director of Heineken UK, stressed the importance of continuous investment: “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 and innovation. For 150 years, this site has been home to passionate brewers who have helped shape the UK’s beer landscape.”

The enduring success of the site is built on the expertise of its long-serving personnel, like technical operator Danny Donohue, who has worked at the brewery for 39 years.

Donohue highlighted the dramatic technological evolution of the facility: “The biggest change I’ve seen has been the incredible improvement in technology throughout the brewing process. Back then, it was much more hands-on. The time has truly flown by.”

As Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, noted, the brewery is both an historical landmark and a vital part of the city’s economic future, investing in net-zero innovation to support the region’s carbon neutral target of 2038 and fostering local talent through apprenticeships and training.

From its Victorian-era start to its current role as a sophisticated, high-speed, and environmentally ambitious brewing centre, the Heineken Manchester Brewery remains an industrial symbol of longevity and innovation in the UK drinks industry.