Organisers call time on popular Manchester beer festival

The convention has been held annually at the Victoria Baths since 2012

A beer festival that has delighted drinkers for a decade by hosting craft ale breweries from around the globe will not return this year.

Organisers of the Independent Manchester Beer Convention (IMBC) said they had made the "difficult decision" to stop the event that has been running since 2012.

The festival saw beermakers showcase brews from the city's Victoria Baths.

Founder Jonny Heyes said the last 12 years had been "an amazing journey".

However, he did not elaborate on the precise details for axing the festival.

"We're proud to have brought something new and different to the craft beer market way back in 2012", he said.

"It's been a huge privilege to witness the UK craft beer scene blossom in front of our eyes, to work with so many fantastic breweries and witness their creativity, industry and growth."

Craft beers from across the world were on offer at the festival

The decision to call time on the popular festival has been met with an outpouring of grief from beer drinker online.

One person said it will leave "a massive beer festival shaped hole in our lives", while others described their upset at losing one of "highlights of the year".

In a statement the Victoria Baths venue on Hathersage Road said it was "incredibly proud" to have hosted the "well-crafted convention" for the last 12 years.

Mr Heyes said was "beyond chuffed" that so many punters "chose to spend time with us deep in the pool at the incredible Victoria Baths".

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