Wakey Wakey Brewing Company brews new life into The Flyer

The Flying Horse pub has teamed up with the Wakey Wakey Brewing Company, led by Anthony and Leanne Jones, to bring local brewing back to the heart of the town.

After years of financial turmoil caused by Brexit, the Covid pandemic, and being affected by the town hall square restorations, this collaboration marks a significant turning point for the pub and its community.

During the boom years of 2013 to 2019, the owner of The Flyer was riding high with ambitions of establishing its own brewery, aiming to supply all their pubs and contribute to the town’s Riverside development. However, the global upheavals of the past few years forced those dreams to be shelved. Despite the setbacks, the team never gave up.

Owner Ben Boothman said: “We lost Bombay Brew Rochdale, had to sell three of our pubs, and watched our dream of a brewery fade away. It was one of the hardest periods in our lives.

"But in a time of uncertainty, fear, and financial loss, we kept getting up and putting one foot in front of the other."

 

 

Instead of surrendering to adversity, The Flyer reimagined its approach, seeking to share the load while keeping the dream alive. This led to a pivotal idea – inviting another local brewery to set up shop inside the pub itself.

Enter Anthony and Leanne, the passionate duo behind Wakey Wakey Brewing Company. Known for their popular ales, they were already looking to expand. When the idea of brewing at The Flyer was pitched, they immediately saw potential.

He added: “Ant and Leanne agreed it had legs, and with the support of our landlord, we got cracking,”

"What started as a seed of an idea has grown into a full-blown collaboration, true to the spirit of Rochdale cooperation."

The result is that The Flyer has been outfitted with a state-of-the-art 37-line beer system and a new cooling system, making it one of the largest beer setups in the region. Once brewing begins, Rochdale can boast a true local brew once again. 

While the journey hasn’t been without challenges, the partnership has thrived, thanks to a shared passion and a sense of camaraderie.

Ben continued: “Ant and Leanne are just wonderful, and we can’t wait to see where this adventure takes us.

"This collaboration is more than just a business deal – it’s a fresh start, a chance for The Flyer to return to its roots and rally behind something that brings joy. For the owners, it's about rediscovering their love for the pub life, which combines drinking ale, meeting people, cooking great food, and enjoying live music."

As the first steps are taken to brew again in Rochdale, the team at The Flyer looks ahead with hope and excitement.

He added: “This is the first genuine step back on the right path to success. It’s not about being as big as we were, but about enjoying what we do.”

The Flyer’s collaboration with Wakey Wakey Brewing Company represents not only a revival of local brewing but also a revival of community spirit. With the support of friends, family, customers, and partners, this venture stands as a beacon of resilience in the face of hardship.

Ben continued: “We wish Ant and Leanne all the luck in the world, and who knows – one day when they have a 500-barrel brewery, we’ll proudly say we were part of that journey. And a huge thank you to Lucy and her team for putting up with us as we took over the pub.

"After so much struggle, poor treatment and hardship these are new beginnings at The Flying Horse and Jon, Lucy, Ant & Leanne can grow the business to new heights."

Rochdale’s brewing tradition is back, and it’s stronger than ever, thanks to the passion and perseverance of The Flyer and Wakey Wakey Brewing Company.