Brimstage Brewery is celebrating 20 years in business, with head brewer Thomas Menaul crediting a loyal following of local drinkers for helping it survive an increasingly challenging industry. The brewery has spent two decades producing independent beers from an old dairy farm on Brimstage Lane, building a reputation among drinkers across the peninsula and beyond.
Surviving a Tough Market
As breweries continue to face difficult trading conditions and closures become an increasingly familiar sight, reaching the milestone is something of which the team is particularly proud. Menaul, who has been part of the brewery since 2011, told the ECHO: "It's really fantastic to be celebrating 20 years. If you think about the market and the way things are going at the minute for breweries, they're closing down regularly.
"It's quite an achievement for us to be still around after 20 years. So we're ecstatic."
Rooted in the Wirral
The brewery was originally established in 2006 by Neil Young, who wanted to create an independent brewery rooted in the area. That connection to the Wirral remains central to its identity today, with Neil's sons Nathaniel and Benjamin now carrying on the family legacy.
Thomas, 49, from Bromborough, said: "The Wirral means everything to us. It's where we started, it's where the family's from that originally started the brewery.
"Our original motto is 'From the heart of the Wirral', and we still keep that to this day."
Despite two decades of change across the brewing industry, Brimstage has remained true to the approach established when it first opened. Much of the brewery's original equipment and processes remain in place, with the team preferring to build on what they already know rather than constantly reinventing things. He said: "For us, we don't like change. We try and keep everything as close to the original as when Neil started the brewery up. All the equipment, all the process is nearly all exactly the same."
Trapper's Hat Leads the Way
One beer in particular that has helped keep the brewery going through the years is Trapper's Hat, which has become its bestselling beer, accounting for around 70 to 80 percent of sales compared with its other varieties. Thomas believes its popularity is closely tied to the brewery's local identity and the support it receives from people across the peninsula.
He said: "We have such a good following. People in the Wirral see us as being a local brewery. It's the beer of the Wirral, really. We wouldn't be here without all those people."
While Trapper's Hat remains a firm favourite, the brewery has gradually expanded its range from its original four or five beers to around 10 or 11. Its core range also includes Sandpiper and Scarecrow, while seasonal offerings have allowed the team to experiment with different flavours and styles. The brewery generally favours beers with a lower alcohol content, typically around four per cent or below, although it occasionally produces a stronger six per cent traditional English IPA.
Anniversary Celebrations
To mark its 20th anniversary, the team has also introduced a special beer called Wagtail Pale. At 3.9 per cent, the light pale ale was designed to reflect the brewery's original approach to brewing, but its reception has been so positive that it could now become a permanent addition to the range. Thomas said: "That was just going to be a one-off, but I think the reception we've had from it, we're going to put that on as a permanent now."
The anniversary was marked with a celebration at Brimstage Hall and Courtyard, just across the road from the brewery, giving customers the chance to come together and enjoy the beers. Thomas said: "I was personally blown away by the reception that we got.
"The people that turned up, and for that many people to turn up and be enthused by the beers as well."
Although the Wirral remains its biggest market, Brimstage has also built up a following in Liverpool, Chester and North Wales, with a number of pubs regularly stocking its beers.
For Thomas, being part of the brewery is also the fulfilment of a personal ambition. Originally from Belfast, he moved to the Wirral in 2000 and began his brewing journey as a homebrewer before eventually getting the opportunity to turn his passion into a career. Having previously worked in a number of jobs, including surveying, he said joining Brimstage was something he had always dreamed of.
He said: "It's a dream of mine just to be coming here every day, brewing the beer and hopefully making a difference to other people that enjoy it as well."
The journey has not been without its challenges, including the Covid pandemic, changing drinking habits, and the difficulties independent breweries face in getting their products to market. Despite this, Thomas believes the brewery's loyal customers have been key to its continued success.
Looking ahead, the ambition is to continue growing while retaining the local character that has defined Brimstage since the beginning. He said: "Fingers crossed we can just continually expand, but with keeping that sort of local character that we like to have.
"Fingers crossed we'll still be here in another 20 years."
