Our History
(Video by Mark Newton)
The year is 1993…
… and England have failed to qualify for the World Cup, 2 Unlimited are Top of the Pops with their dance smash No Limit, Shane Warne has bowled the ‘Ball of the Century’ and Rooster’s Brewing Co. has just hatched - forever changing the shape of beer in the UK. Originators and innovators of quality, new world pale ales, with an emphasis on flavour and aroma, our beers start to stand out and turn heads amongst a sea of brown beer, with Yankee (our flagship pale ale) leading the way.
Fast forward over a quarter of a century, with countless awards having been won along the way – at competitions both at home and abroad – our ethos has always remained the same; to consistently brew quality, easy-drinking and well-balanced beers in cask, keg and can. Famed for brewing pale ales, we also enjoy playing around with different styles and flavours along the way.
Our collection of awards and festival wins dates back to the mid-1990’s, during which time the world beyond the four walls of the brewery has changed quite dramatically. Since the first time we mashed in we’ve witnessed the end of Apartheid in South Africa, the opening of the Channel Tunnel and a British tennis player win a grand slam title for the first time since 1977. Coincidence? In a word... yes.
Our most recent awards success has come in the shape of gold medal wins at both the 2021 International Brewing Awards for Thousand Yard Stare (silver) and Baby-Faced Assassin (bronze), on top of the gold, silver and bronze we brought home at the 2017 competition. We also came away with an unprecedented nine awards from nine beer entered at the 2022 North East SIBA Keg Beer Competition (3 x gold, 3 x silver and 3 x bronze awards), as well as a silver and two bronze awards at the National Competition! Prior to this, we can boast three World Beer Cup gold medals, further International Brewing Awards medals, a host of other SIBA Beer Competition wins and a selection of gongs from CAMRA beer festivals up and down the country.
Having previously established Franklin’s Brewery in 1980, which he then sold in 1986, Sean Franklin founded Rooster’s Brewing Co. in 1993 and, along with his wife, Alison and son, Sam, won three gold medals at the prestigious World Beer Cup in 2006, 2008 and 2010, YPA won gold in both 2006 and 2008 and also bagged a silver in 2010, with Leghorn pipping it to top spot in the Summer Ale category by bringing home the gold that year.
In 2011 Sean decided to retire and, with Sam having already flown the nest to Canada, chose to sell the brewery to Ian Fozard and his sons, Oliver (Head Brewer) and Tom (Commercial Director).
Now based back in Harrogate and fast-approaching 30 years since being established, Rooster’s remains an independent, family-owned and operated brewery and is still winning gold medals on the international stage, as well as closer to home.