Nottinghamshire Homebrewer bags title

Sean, of Bríd's Cross Brewing was joined by Matt Curtis and Dan Brett to judge their first Homebrew competition. The winning beer, a Kölsch style lager, is being brewed commercially and released at the Brewery's second birthday bash on 22 August at The Baum. (photo: Matt Durrant, from Sutton in Ashfield)

Sean O'Reilly, owner of Bríd's Cross Brewing said "As a homebrewer and since turning professional, I have been fortunate to receive help and advice from several excellent brewers. I felt the time was right to pay this forward by organising our first homebrew competition. Matt's winning beer was truly excellent; I'm looking forward to brewing it with him and sharing it with our loyal Bríd's Cross customers."

Matt Curtis, owner of Pellicle magazine said "It was an absolute pleasure to help judge Bríd's Cross Homebrew competition. All of the entrants were of a really high standard and it was difficult to make a decision, but the winner was hugely deserving and I can't wait to taste the beer when it's released."

Dan Brett, owner of The Baum said "Since taking over the Baum a few months back, its been a pleasure working alongside Sean and getting to know him and his beers. So when he asked if I'd help judge the Bríd's Cross Homebrew competition, I was more than happy to oblige. The bar was set quite high on the day with a few early front runners, but the standout beer was the Undine Kölsch. I for one feel it will make a great addition to the range and can't wait to see it sitting proudly on the bar for the Bríd's Cross 2nd Birthday Bash in August."

Matt Durrant, winner of the Homebrew competition said, "I've been homebrewing for about 5 years for friends and family and for the most part have received complimentary comments. I don't have many opportunities to get constructive feedback and when I saw this competition, I knew I had to enter, especially as I had been following the journey of Bríd's Cross on social media. I had always appreciated that each beer brewed by Sean had an accompanying tale."

"I had to re-read the email several times for it to finally register that I had won the competition and then I couldn't stop smiling. There were several screenshots of said email being sent out to friends and family! The fact that the beer I had brewed in my garage has been appreciated by commercial brewers and people working within the industry, fills me with a sense of pride and accomplishment. I still can't quite believe it..."

BREW DAY : Wednesday 9 July, 8.30am - 3.30pm

Press photographers are welcome to attend Brew Day.Unit C5, Fieldhouse Industrial Estate, Fieldhouse Road, Rochdale, OL12 0AA. Please let us know if you are visiting us.

Ales Inspired by Tales

Beer: Kölsch style, 4.6%

Folktale: Undine. A water nymph, often depicted as having a human form when she falls in love with a mortal man but is doomed to die if he is unfaithful.

Launch of beer: Friday 22 August, The Baum Rochdale.

Availability: Keg, Cask, Can.

Cans available via our website www.bridscross.co.uk

BRÍD'S CROSS 2ND BIRTHDAY BASH

Date: Friday 22 AugustVenue: The Baum, 33-37 Toad Lane, Rochdale, OL12 0NU

TAP TAKEOVER : MUSIC : FOOD

Notes to Editors

About Bríd's Cross Brewing: Bríd's Cross Brewing is a micro brewery based in Rochdale producing modern ales inspired by folklore and mythology shared around the British Isles.

Permanent Lines: Bríd's Cross Brewing currently has a permanent line at The Red Lion, 6 Halifax Road, Littleborough, OL15 0HB.

Our beer regularly features at The Baum, 33-37 Toad Lane, Rochdale, OL12 0NU. Bríd's Cross also has national distribution and has supplied their beer to pubs across the UK from Newcastle to Southampton.

2nd Birthday Bash: Friday 22 August at The Baum. Tap takeover, music & food. Homebrew winning beer launched.

2025 Beer Festivals: Where we're pouring. More festivals to be confirmed.

Started: Autumn 2023.

Owner: Sean O'Reilly.

Email: sean@bridscross.co.uk

Phone: 07982 721 254

Website: www.bridscross.co.uk

Sean O'Reilly is originally from Suffolk and moved to Rochdale in 2022.

Contact: sean@bridscross.co.uk

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