Launceston's Firebrand Brewing Co. is delighted to unveil Blue Balls, their new non-alcoholic hazy IPA created in collaboration with Blue Balls Cornwall, the men's cold water swimming group. Firebrand Brewing Co will be donating £1 to Man Down, the Cornwall-based men's mental health CIC, for every online order of Blue Balls throughout Sober October.

Joe Thomson, Co-owner and Head Brewer at Firebrand Brewing Co. comments: “We were approached by Blue Balls Cornwall to create a non-alcoholic beer and we jumped at the chance. Blue Balls has built a supportive community, here in the county, that helps men to develop a positive coping mechanism for dealing with mental health issues. Alcohol misuse is often linked to mental health struggles, so offering a healthier, non-alcoholic option reinforces their mission. We will be serving up the new Blue Balls beer at their regular dips. These are sea swimming meet-ups that bring men together in a relaxed, natural setting and we hope this will encourage them to hang out and chat with friends after the swim.”

Blue Balls was set up in Cornwall by two friends, Ross and Tom, who wanted to encourage men across the county to join them and discover the benefits that cold water swimming can have on health and wellbeing, while raising awareness and providing support for men's mental health. 

Tom Mason, co-founder of Blue Balls Cornwall explains: “We are delighted to be working with Firebrand Brewing Co. and really looking forward to celebrating with a Blue Balls Hazy IPA. Just like a fresh dip in the wild Cornish ocean, our collaboration beer is best enjoyed cold, surrounded by your mates.”

Blue Balls (ABV 0.5%) is a non-alcoholic hazy IPA packed full of fruity flavour. It is the perfect beer to enjoy cold, by the sea, with friends and without the risk of any hangover. It is gluten free and vegan friendly and is available from www.firebrandbrewing.co.uk RRP £2.80 per 440ml can. 

Joe finishes: “The statistics around men's mental health and male suicides are incredibly sobering. We are pleased to contribute in some small way to raising awareness for men's mental health and we will be donating £1, for every online order of Blue Balls throughout Sober October, directly to Man Down, the Cornwall-based men's mental health CIC. We hope that, within the Blue Balls community and beyond, sharing a few of our non-alcoholic beers with friends will create a positive environment for supporting each other.”

Firebrand Brewing Co was created in 2012 in a converted milking parlour on the untamed edge of Bodmin Moor, North Cornwall. The idea was born from a passion for beer made from all-natural ingredients, Cornish spring water and American hops. For further information on Firebrand Brewing Co. please visit www.firebrandbrewing.co.uk or follow them on Facebook and Instagram. 

Blue Balls Cornwall is a  men's cold water swimming group that promotes the benefits that cold water swimming can have on health and wellbeing, while raising awareness and providing support for men's mental health. For further information on Blue Balls follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

Man Down is a non-profit Community Interest Company founded in Cornwall, dedicated to supporting men with mental health challenges. Founded by Ross Jackson Hicks, they aim to foster open conversation and break the stigma which surrounds men's mental health, ultimately hoping to reduce the number of male suicides that take place every year. For further information visit https://mandown.org or follow them on Instagram and Facebook.

Images available here.

ENDS

EDITOR'S NOTES:

• Founded in 2013, independent Firebrand Brewing Co. is based in Launceston, Cornwall. Head brewer and co-owner, Joe Thompson, started brewing in 2009 at which time he was the youngest brewer in the country at 21 years old. Originally working with Penpont Brewery, which focused on traditional ales, he wanted to brew a more modern style so created Firebrand Brewing Co. Passionate about brewing a high-quality product, Joe has instilled in his team the importance of using the best ingredients from around the world to create Firebrand's beers.
• Firebrand Brewing Co.'s range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beers are available from their shop and independent retailers across Cornwall and beyond. They are also enjoyed in top hospitality venues including Adam Handling's The Tartan Fox, Newquay, The Scarlet Hotel, Mawgan Porth, The Pig at Harlyn Bay, Nancarrow Farm in Truro, Prawn on The Lawn, London and many more.
• Originally based in a converted milking parlour on the untamed edge of Bodmin Moor, in 2021 they moved to larger premises in Launceston. This has enabled Firebrand Brewing Co. to brew more beer and add a taproom and a shop. They see their new home as a place for the community to gather, drink, and eat and they regularly host brewery tours, tastings, music nights and other events.

For further information, photography, samples or an interview with Joe Thomson, Head Brewer at Firebrand Brewing Co., please contact:

Bella at RAW Food and Drink PR 

Email:bella@rawfoodanddrinkpr.co.uk