Beatnikz Republic beer boss branches out with Northern Quarter-inspired gin

The founder of a Manchester craft beer brewery is branching out into the world of spirits by launching a new gin.

The Northern Quarter Liquor Co has unveiled its first product, its N/Q London Dry Gin.

The new concern is the brainchild of Paul Greetham, who is also behind Beatnikz Republic, and sees him team up with the City of Manchester Distillery.

The new gin will be available in bars and shops across the city and there are plans for an ambitious range of different spirits, all with something of a Mancunian essence to them.

What is the Northern Quarter Liquor Co and its N/Q London Dry Gin?

Paul decided to work with the City of Manchester Distillery, which makes the Three Rivers Gin, as it is just a short distance from Beatnikz Republic’s brewery in the city’s Green Quarter.

He began to devise a recipe for a London dry gin with master distiller Dave Rigby and after a couple of attempts produced a gin made with a blend of 10 botanicals.

Paul admitted that one of the reasons for founding the Northern Quarter Liquor Co was that spirits are often his tipple of choice at home.

He said: “We’re only about five or six units down from the distillery and I was chatting with the owners. I’ve known them a long time, we help each other out.

“We started talking about gin. I do actually drink more gin and spirits at home than beer.

“It was a natural progression. The bars and places we supply to who need beer also need spirits, so it seemed like a good add-on from that perspective.

“It was also exciting from a personal perspective. I’ve always done the branding and the names for the Beatnikz Republic beers, I just love creating new brands.

“Myself and the master distiller Dave were playing around on the small stills creating small bottles. We got there in about two or three attempts. I knew exactly what I wanted: a big juniper and citrus-forward gin with balanced spice to round and finish it off.”

The finished N/Q Dry London Gin includes grapefruit, sweet orange, lemon and green cardamom to pack the taste Paul was looking for,

Where can I get a glass or bottle of it?

The gin has gone on a sale at a range of bars and stores in the city centre and across Greater Manchester.

This include the Beatnikz Republic NQ Bar in the Northern Quarter and the brewery taproom.

It is also on sale at a number of pubs and bars across Greater Manchester including Hops and Boogie in Sale, the Crown and Anchor and Proof in Chorlton.

It can also be bought from the General Stores in Ancoats, MediaCity and Deansgate and the Stretford and Sale food halls, while bottles are available to order from the company’s website.

Paul said the gin is a tribute to the Northern Quarter, where Beatnikz Republic has its own bar, and its vibrant drinking culture.

He said: “I’ve always been inspired by the vibrancy, youthfulness and individuality of the Northern Quarter.

“In addition to the brewery, I also opened the Beatnikz Republic NQ Bar the corner of Tariff and Dale Street on in 2018 so I’m able to really understand the style and culture of the area – contempory, modern and always evolving.

“We want the Northern Quarter Liquor Co. to be known as the alternative indie liquor from Manchester.

“Our branding is modern and bold, which perfectly fits the Northern Quarter ethos of confidence, ambition and creativity – our gin is a tribute to such a hugely iconic area of the city.”

What’s next for the Northern Quarter Liquor Co?

Paul says the company’s next creation will be a Jamaican funk rum, something he says will be very different from the golden and spiced rums already available on the shelves.

He then has plans to create a vodka and a range of canned cocktails using the Northern Quarter Liquor Co’s spirits.

Paul says he always wants the ethos of the business to reflect its home city.

He said: “This is going to be a very Manchester-centric brand and we hope the local market will get behind it.”