In this episode, we chat with Sean O’Reilly, founder of Brid’s Cross Brewery, a Rochdale based brewery where folklore and fermentation go hand in hand. Sean shares the journey of how Brid’s Cross was born from a blend of personal passion, family encouragement, and a love for storytelling.
We also dive into:
How Sean turned homebrewing into a full-time brewery
Why storytelling is at the heart of Brid’s Cross
The challenges of starting an independent brewery today
Cask vs keg, British hops, and experimenting with yeast
Getting indie beer into pubs and beyond
Whether you’re a fan of traditional cask ales, modern hop-forward styles, or just love a good origin story, then this episode has something for you.
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CHAPTERS
00:00 - 02:51 The Beginning of Brid's Cross
02:52 - 04:50 Inspiration Behind the Name and Beer Stories
04:51 - 11:53 Homebrewing Journey and Influences
11:54 - 15:38 Balancing Modern and Traditional Beer Styles
15:39 - 17:17 Favourite and Most Challenging Part of Brewing
17:18 - 21:01 Community Engagement and Access to Market
21:02 - 23:15 Navigating the Competitive Market
23:16 - 27:00 What's Needed to Help Indie Breweries
27:01 - 30:16 Future Plans and Releases
30:17 - 32:35 Inspirational Beers and Underrated Styles
32:36 - Final Words and Outro
