Firebrand

The brewery built its reputation on hop-forward American-style beers, a deliberate departure from the traditional Cornish ales Thompson had cut his teeth on. Patchwork Rocket Pale became the flagship, with hazy IPAs and barrel-aged stouts rounding out a range that has picked up regional and national awards.

Firebrand's alcohol-free lineup has grown into a credible three-beer range. Shorebreak, a hazy pale, has won awards at the World Beer Awards in the non-alcoholic category. Little Wave delivers a clean lager option, while Blue Balls brings the hazy IPA treatment to the AF category. All three come in under 35 calories and are vegan and gluten-free.

What makes Firebrand interesting is the commitment to treating their AF beers as proper craft products rather than afterthoughts. The same attention to hop selection and recipe development that goes into their full-strength range shows up in the alcohol-free versions. They're brewed to drink well, not just to fill a gap on the menu.

The Cornish identity runs deep here. A chough, Cornwall's national bird, features prominently in the branding, and the brewery positions itself as a community hub. Regular events, brewery tours, and a taproom overlooking the brewing kit give locals and visitors somewhere to gather. The move from the original farmstead to the Launceston facility in 2021 expanded capacity without losing that sense of place.

You can order direct from the brewery website, with mixed boxes a good way to try the AF range together. Their beers also turn up in independent bottle shops and online AF specialists. Availability outside Cornwall and direct online is limited, so if you're not in the area, the website is your best bet.