5 days Ago
A Bolton brewery is raising a glass or two to its success at a national beer competition when it won gold for its Flat Cap beer. The Bank Top Brewery, which is based at the Grade II listed pavilion building on Ashworth Lane, Astley Bridge, celebrated success at the Society of Independent Brewers and Associates. Dave Sweeney (left), Jim Rankin (centre) and Ben Sweeney (right).
(Image: Ben Sweeney) The beer can also be sampled at its sister pubs - The Ale House, Horwich, and The Old England Forever in Accrington. Ben Sweeney (left) and Dave Sweeney (right) at the brewery awards last month. (Image: Ben Sweeney) The national competition was held at Beer X in Liverpool, featuring submissions from independent brewers from up-and-down the country.
Flat Cap beer is currently the brewery’s biggest selling beer and has been a family-held recipe at the brewery for 29 years. The beverage was awarded Gold in Cask British Bitters under 4.4 per cent - said to be a highly contested category at a national level.
The Bank Top Brewery. (Image: Ben Sweeney) As a family-run business, the illustrious award comes as staff are preparing to celebrate 30 years in the brewing business. Speaking to the Bolton News, head brewer Ben Sweeney said: “We’re delighted to gain the award, with it being nationals there’s some incredible brewers with fantastic beers so I went in not expecting too much.
READ MORE: Balmoral Pub in town centre reopens after transformation Popular Bradshawgate pub Yates set to close TODAY Eagley: Cheetham Arms pub on Blackburn Road reopens “The beers are all judged blind, none of the judges on the table know what the beer is, its all-secretive judging and each beer is based on its colour, clarity, the way that it pours and other variables. “The brewery has been there since 2009, my father is the company owner and was able to finish buying out the business in 2008. “I think what sets us apart is that we’re very traditional, the site is converted from the former Bank Top Tennis Pavilion and it's tremendous to look at, the pavilion has been there since 2002.
The business will soon celebrate its 30th anniversary. (Image: Ben Sweeney) “I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. We love the building and the community here – we’re situated in a lovely idyllic location.
” As well as the Flat Cap, the brewery has also won international awards for its Dark Mild beer. Bank Top won the gold medal for its Dark Mild beer in the 3.9 per cent to 4.
3 per cent Cask Ale bracket at the International Brewing & Cider Awards 2024. Ben added: “The dark mild has won more for us than any of our beers. But I would say that the Flat Cap is the most popular and makes up around 60 per cent of our sales, it’s a well-known and well-loved beer across the Northwest.
“I’ve actually had people stop me in the street and tell me how much they love it! “It’s an honour to win the award, we’re already starting to see more uptake as a result. Although of course, this is also due to the sunny weather!” Dave celebrating the award for the Dark and Mild Beer last year. (Image: Ben Sweeney) As well as Flat Cap, the brewery also offers Palomino Rising, Bad to the Bone, Hercules, Nineteen Ninety Five, Leprechaun Stout and Pavilion Pale Ale.
Bank Top Brewery owner Dave Sweeney said: “I am highly delighted with the team for their dedicated efforts into winning this award, it's down to the hard work by everyone in the company. “I’m so pleased that we have won such an illustrious award, especially with our 29-year-old Flat Cap recipe, it means a lot and it’s a beer that remains close to our hearts. “I’m pleased to share the occasion with my son, Ben, who has slowly but surely been taking on the business himself.
" To win this is a testament to both his and all of our staff member’s commitment to the business. “We hope to see much more success and continue to please our dedicated customers in the future.”.
