A special beer brewed in Rochdale to celebrate the borough’s year as Greater Manchester Town of Culture has now been stocked and served in the House of Commons’ Strangers’ Bar.
The collaborative ale, Signo, was created at Wakey Wakey Brew Company as a partnership between Wakey Wakey, Brid’s Cross Brewing, Serious Brewing Company and Twisted Mule Brewery, bringing together independent brewers from across Rochdale borough.
At a small event in Parliament, representatives from some of the participating breweries were joined by Rochdale MP Paul Waugh and Heywood and Middleton North MP Elsie Blundell to mark the occasion. Anthony Jones from Wakey Wakey Brewery, Domenico Iannidinardi from Twister Mule Brewery and Sean O’Reilly from Brid’s Cross Brewery joined the MPs in Strangers’ Bar alongside Barry Watts from SIBA, the Society of Independent Brewers.
Strangers’ Bar, located within the Palace of Westminster near the House of Commons, regularly showcases ales from independent breweries across the UK, giving parliamentarians and staff the chance to sample regional produce.
Paul Waugh MP said:
“It’s a real point of pride to see a beer brewed in Rochdale being poured in Parliament. Signo represents the creativity, collaboration and co-operative spirit that defines our borough during our year as Greater Manchester Town of Culture. I’m delighted colleagues from across the country can now experience a small taste of Rochdale.”
Elsie Blundell MP said:
“MPs and their guests are going to love it! Local beer, like that brewed by Twisted Mule in my constituency, is some of the best in the country. Well done everyone – and I’m looking forward to parliamentary colleagues telling me how much they have enjoyed it!”
Signo was developed using all-British hops as part of Rochdale’s 2025-26 Greater Manchester Town of Culture programme, which includes a packed calendar of cultural events across the borough.
The beer is available in pubs locally as part of the wider celebrations.
