International Women's Day beer launch for new brewery

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

Bríd's Cross Brewing, a new local brewery, which opened late last year released a brand new beer to mark International Women’s Day on Friday 8 March with a percentage of the profits from sales of the beer is being donated to the IWD charity.

Owner and head brewer, Sean O’Reilly, felt it was important to him to mark this special day. He said: “As a child in the 1970’s I remember my mum being involved in launching what was, at the time, a pioneering shelter for women who were the victims of domestic violence. My mum’s political activism was clearly an influence on me growing up.”

He adds that his decision to follow his dreams by opening his own brewery was, in part, influenced by his friend, Ruth Mitchell, who has worked for several well known breweries, including Adnams and Charles Wells.

“However, I must also give enormous credit to my partner, Ruth Shedwick, who has encouraged me as I have set up the brewery, and helped enormously with developing the brand identity of the brewery.”

Ruth Shedwick has played a pivotal role in developing the International Women’s Day beer - a golden ale called Andraste’s Hare. She inspired the design of the recipe, was head brewer for the day, and named the beer.

Ruth, from Bury, explained the reason the beer is called Andraste’s Hare. She said: “I have a great love of history and I have always thought that the celtic queen, Boudicca, who led the Iceni tribe in a revolt against the Romans, was an inspirational woman. Before leading her warriors into battle, Boudicca invoked the celtic war goddess Andraste, using her sacred animal, a hare, to predict victory.”

Not content with designing and brewing the beer, Ruth also pulled the first pint of Andraste’s Hare at Our Gracie’s micropub in Rochdale. The beer was also available on International Women’s Day at three other venues in Waterfoot, Stalybridge and Hebden Bridge. It will also be served at The Red Lion in Littleborough.