I've never worked as a part of a software project team that had a dedicated "manager", so take this with a big grain of salt. I have worked for good and bad man

I've never worked as a part of a software project team that had a dedicated "manager", so take this with a big grain of salt. I have worked for good and bad managers though and I have one thing to say: Care about that you do and get stuck in with everyone else. In my experience doing this will solve all of the worries you are hinting at above. If you are a) competent & b) only bug people when you consider it to be about something important then you can bug me whenever you want. I will put up with being interrupted when being "in the zone" etc if I have respect for you and you think it's important. As long as you are pulling the all nighters with everyone else then you won't need to buy them beer at all, though it's unlikely to be turned down if offered!