Welcome to Tūn Brewing Company, where great beer meets creativity, craftsmanship, and purpose. Founded in Manchester by Richard Alston, Tūn Brewing Company is the result of years of passion, perseverance, and a desire to bring a new perspective to the UK’s drinking culture.

Our Name, Our Story

The name "Tūn" reflects two key inspirations. Tūn is an Old English word for settlement or community, a nod to the connections beer can foster. This word lives on in the suffix "-ton," found in the names of many British places, including our home in Chorlton, Manchester. Secondly, "Tun" is the name given to the brewing vessels, such as a mash tun or lauter tun, that are essential in the creation of beer. Together, these meanings represent our vision: to create beers that bring people together while honouring the craft of brewing.

Meet the Founder

Richard, a psychiatrist by training, has spent years observing the complexities of this country's drinking culture. While there is much to celebrate, he believes this is a pivotal moment to redefine our relationship with alcohol. Drinking with purpose—to connect, to celebrate, and to savour—can foster healthier habits and deeper enjoyment, moving beyond the culture of drinking to excess.

Brewing has been a part of Richard’s life since his teenage years when he first discovered the joy of creating beer. Over time, this hobby took a back seat, but more recently, he revisited it as a creative outlet during his own mental health challenges. Brewing offered him a sense of fulfilment and focus, and it reignited his long-held dream of opening a microbrewery. Today, he is proud to turn that dream into reality with Tūn Brewing Company.

Our Ethos

We want our beer to be accessible to as many people as possible. All our beers will be vegan and gluten-free.

The central pillar we want to drive home with the brewery, which leans on Richard's psychiatry background, is “drinking with purpose”. We want people to enjoy our beer but in a responsible way, and to move away from the historically harmful drinking culture that’s found in this country. We want people to connect to the manufacturing process of making beer and drink it in an environment that fosters a healthier relationship with alcohol, be it to socialise with your friends, for the beer to be paired with a meal or to enjoy it whilst watching entertainment, not just to get drunk.

Why Contract Brewing?

Tūn Brewing Company operates under a contract brewing model to bring you exceptional beers without compromise. Richard develops every beer recipe at home using his pilot brewing kit, ensuring that each brew reflects his vision and creativity. These recipes are then scaled up and commercialised with the help of a trusted partner brewery. You can rest assured that every pint is distinctly his creation, crafted with purpose and passion, not just a generic recipe handed over to a brewery. We are ambitious and seek to create a space of our own soon, where people can productively enjoy our beer, connecting with people, local businesses, and the arts while being connected to the process of making beer.

Join the Celebration

At Tūn Brewing Company, we’re about more than just beer—we’re about community, creativity, and celebrating what makes life special. Rooted in Manchester, we’re proud to reflect its heritage and values, and are excited to contribute to the incredible craft beer scene here.

Here’s to innovation, inclusion, and great beer!