This October Manchesterⁱ is the place to be for the best in beer - The Manchester Food & Drink Festival (MFDF) is on from October 1st to the 12th.

A Whisky Festival is being held in the Museum of Science & Industry - which is worth a look in itself - on the 10th with not just Scottish whisky, but ones from around the world (Japanese whisky anyone?).

The Real Ale Festival in Albert Square set up by CAMRA is on the 9th & 10th with 30 breweries represented from the Greater Manchester region.

The Oktoberfest on the 8th to the 11th (it would take some explaining I guess to hold it during the traditional Oktoberfest dates of the 16 days up until the 1st Sunday in October - ie September) in ALbert Square is just what you think it is - pretzels, a German market & lots of proper lager.

Alcohol-Free are having an alcohol free (duh!) wine & beer tasting on their premises in Failsworth from 1st to 12th.

An Evening of Food & Beer Matching for those who haven't worked out that any beer goes with any food, if you just fancy that combination or are stuck with the contents of your larder.

The Quizimodo Food & Drink Festival Special at the Odd Bar in the Northern Quarter looks fun. Loads of weird stuff goes on here & the beer selection is always varied.

Not part of the festival but in the spirit of it: The excellent Marble Arch is holding a Cider & Perry Food Matching night. £35 for a 5 course meal with drinks to match.