The Northern independent coffee scene is now coming out from behind the South’s shadow with the launch of the first Northern Independent Coffee Guide. Featuring cities such as Sheffield, Newcastle, Manchester, York and Leeds, the guide is a fast track path to the very best the North has to offer in terms of independence and quality.

The first edition of the Northern Independent Coffee Guide, fresh off the printers.

To construct this guide an expert committee was formed, those involved include Ian Steel (J Atkinson & Co), Paul Meikle-Janney (Dark Woods Coffee and Coffee Community), Dave Olejnik (Laynes of Leeds), Jamie Treby (Taylors and UKBC Judge) and Hannah Davies (Bewley’s and Cup North). This is an important step for coffee in the North as there has long been a focus on coffee in the South, with London having a definitive guide published every year for the last five years, as well as other independent guides taking on the same task of finding the best coffee in London. The Northern coffee scene is flourishing in all cities plus some smaller towns, for example – Harrogate! There is plenty to celebrate and explore close to home.

The launch of the Northern Independent Coffee Guide was on Friday 26th June and was held in a warehouse adjacent to Heart and Graft roasters in Manchester, not far from the city center. This was the first chance to get our hands on the guide.

It’s a light but chunky yellow edition and is choc-a-block with interesting and stylish options in Northern cities and towns. We find Baltzersen’s looking at home next to Hoxton North in the Harrogate section, definitely one of the smaller section’s in the guide. Flicking through the cities Manchester and Leeds are awash with tempting options.

To be featured in the guide each listing was checked thoroughly to ensure they met the criteria of quality, expertise, use of UK roaster and was set out by the previously mentioned committee plus Q Grader Jamie Treby, and Nick Cooper of Salt Media. Salt Media are the machine behind the Northern Independent Coffee Guide, previously publishing the South West Independent Coffee Guide last year.

It is clear to see in the guide that coffee in the North is just as good as it’s geographical counterparts and will do the world of good for independent business that promote local and regional suppliers in the North.

See below for some pictures from the launch event in Manchester –

The aeropress championship took place to decide once and for all who ruled the Northern roost.

Judging the winner of the aeropress championship.

The event drew in visitors from across the North.

The night was fuelled by stone baked pizza and craft beer.

The guide is available to buy in Baltzersen’s priced £7.99. Follow the guide on Twitter @indycoffeeguide to keep up with the latest news.