Our 2026 International Women’s Collaboration Brew is local Rochdale legend Betty Blomley. We are proud to have brewed this Red Session IPA with Manchester Crafty Beer Girls and our charity partner Manchester Women’s Aid (see below). Our artist, Dawn Victoria created a wonderful image of Betty, a much misunderstood woman who was fighting to survive in harsh times.
Betty lived in an area of Rochdale called The Gank. A tight maze of small homes and backstreets were poverty was common and survival took quiet strength. It is rumoured, that at dusk, when the streets lay still, Betty would walk to the town’s wishing well where she collected the bent pins visitors would toss into the well and straightened them, one by one with her hands. With her collection of newly straightened pins, Betty would sell them, earning just enough money to feed her family.
However, she was much misunderstood by the people of Rochdale. She kept to herself and moved in the half-light and in an age of superstition, the townsfolk called her witch. But Betty was not a witch, she was a strong woman built of resilience and resourcefulness, doing what she needed to survive in harsh times.
Quiet. Determined. Unbroken.
RED SESSION IPA
Betty Blomley is a Red Session IPA where bold American hops crash into rich British malt backbone. A burst of grapefruit zest and bright citrus from Cascade leaps out first, followed by Chinook and Columbus bringing punchy pine, resin and a touch of dank edge. Galena ties it all together with a clean, assertive bitterness that keeps everything sharp and snappy.
Underneath the hop fireworks lies a smooth, toasty malt foundation. Think fresh bread crust drizzled with caramel, but chased immediately buy a hit of citrus peel and pine.
Light bodied but flavour-loaded, it finishes crisp, dry and moreish. All the attitude of a big West Coast IPA, dialled into session strength that keeps you coming back for ‘just one more’.
Ingredients
Water, Malted Barley, Malted Wheat, Hops (Columbus, Cascade, Chinook, Galena), Yeast
Details
4.5% Alc
Store cold and drink fresh
burst of grapefruit zest and bright citrus, assertive bitterness
Artwork by Dawn Victoria
LIMITED EDITION SIGNED PRINTS
Your chance to purchase a stunning limited edition signed print of Betty Blomley from our Artist, Dawn Victoria. These prints are available in A4 (£20) and A3 (£30). Please note the frame is not included.
PURCHASE ON ETSY
Charity Partner : MANCHESTER WOMEN’S AID
We are proud to partner with Manchester Women’s Aid, part of The Pankhurst Trust, who exist to offer clients the confidential help they need and to provide a holistic, safety-first approach, where the prospect of a life free from abuse is possible.
Bríd’s Cross are making a donation from sales of BETTY BLOMLEY beers to Manchester Women’s Aid. If you would like to donate to the charity, please use the QR code or DONATE HERE
FIND OUT MORE about Manchester Women’s Aid; what they do, how you can get involved and the impact they have made to thousands of lives.
