Tūn Brewing Co

Tūn Brewing Company was founded by Richard Alston, a psychiatrist by training who first developed an interest in brewing during his teenage years. Although brewing eventually took a back seat while he pursued his medical career, Richard later returned to it as a creative outlet, reigniting a long-held ambition to establish a brewery of his own.

The name Tūn reflects two ideas at the heart of the business. In Old English, tūn refers to a settlement or community and survives in the '-ton' ending found in many British place names, including Chorlton, which Tūn describes as its Manchester home. A tun is also a vessel used in brewing, such as a mash tun or lauter tun.

Rather than initially establishing its own production brewery, Tūn uses contract brewing to produce its beers. Production takes place at Farm Yard Brewery in Cockerham, Lancashire, allowing Tūn to focus on developing its beers and brand while working with an established brewing facility.

Accessibility is a central part of Tūn's approach to beer. Its range is designed to be vegan and gluten-free, with beers available across cask, keg and can. The aim is to make the beers accessible to a wider group of drinkers without moving away from the flavour and character expected from modern independent beer.

Richard's background in psychiatry has also influenced the philosophy behind the company. Tūn promotes the idea of 'drinking with purpose', encouraging beer to be enjoyed as part of socialising, food and shared experiences rather than focusing on drinking to excess.

Community is closely connected to that philosophy. Tūn describes itself as rooted in Manchester and aims to contribute to the city's independent beer scene while using beer as a way of bringing people together and creating a healthier and more considered relationship with drinking.

Today, Tūn combines Richard's interest in brewing with a broader focus on innovation, inclusion and community. Although its beers are currently produced under contract rather than at a dedicated Tūn brewery, the business retains its identity as a Manchester beer company with ambitions built around both the craft and culture of beer.