Since Best of British Beer was started in 2011, we’ve worked with over 500 different breweries. We thought it was high time that we shone a light on just a few of those producers to see how they got started and what makes them tick.
In the first of these reviews, we’ve travelled north to meet Rik Garner, owner of First Chop Brewery based on the outskirts of Manchester.
Tell us how First Chop came about
The business was started in 2012 and was originally a spin off operation from Rik’s bar in nearby Ramsbottom. Home to the Black Pudding Throwing World Championships, it’s a pretty market town on the edge of The Pennines.
What did you do before First Chop?
Before brewing I was a chef and I owned a couple of cafes / bars in Greater Manchester. All my establishments had an excellent beer selection going back to the late 1990s. We were probably the only place in the UK you could order a Full English Breakfast accompanied by a Flemish red ale back then!
How did you go from frying eggs to brewing beer?
I initially got involved in brewing to produce a house beer for the bar. It seemed a natural progression from the cooking I loved. I soon fell in love with brewing and eventually it completely took over with the First Chop Bar closing around 2016 when I decided to concentrate 100% on the brewing side of the business.
It’s a very unusual name, how did you come about it?
The name First Chop originally came from Rogets Thersaurus! I started (long story) with the word golden and after bouncing around for a few hours discovered the phrase “First Chop” I was looking for a name for the Bar that would not date, I like to think it could have been called The First Chop 100 years ago and the name wouldn’t sound dated in another 100 years time either. The literal translation is ‘top notch’ or ‘first class’.
Your beers have very distinctive names, what’s the inspiration for them?
The beer names ended up all being 3 letter words by coincidence and then we just ran with it. It all started with HOP, then there was AVA (named after my daughter), then we had TEA, but we were told to rename it as Surrey based Hogs Back Brewery had already registered that. SYL was named after the great American blues singer Sylvester Johnson who sadly passed away last year.
What part does First Chop play in the local community?
We sponsor the local Rugby Union club; it’s at the end of our street. We also get involved with various independent music festivals and events. Recently we made a beer for a local organisation called EAT WELL MCR. We produce 1000 cans per month and every penny we gain from selling them goes to EAT WELL, that means every time you drink one of our ”EAT WELL” beers you have provided one restaurant quality meal for someone in need.
What was the first award you ever won?
I remember we put AVA forward for judging at the local CAMRA Festival soon after we’d started. This was our first award and probably the one that makes me the most proud as it’s a beer close to my heart. We’ve had lots of recognition since our first success and 7 beers in the current range are Great Taste Award winners.
Have you found it easy to move away from being Head Brewer?
The thing that makes First Chop special is the team behind the beer. I seldom get my hands on the brewhouse these days but the team of brewers and assistants are so passionate and dedicated to the quality and taste of our products I don’t need to. I trust them 110% to consistently produce amazing quality beers.
Your brew over 20 beers in your range, do you have a ‘go to’ beer?
It’s so hard to pick a favourite, there are so many factors that influence enjoying a beer and so many fantastic beers out there these days. I’m going to say my favourite is one enjoyed in the sunshine with good friends and good food.
We’re proud to be the online partner for Rik and the team at First Chop and we’re sure you’ll want to try his beer. Get 15% off your first order when you join the mailing list firstchop.co.uk
