Culture on Tap: Rochdale’s New Beer Celebrates a Special Year

A group of Rochdale brewers have come together to create a brand-new beer in honour of the town’s year as Greater Manchester’s Town of Culture. 

The cask ale, called Signo, is now being poured in pubs and bars across Rochdale, with bottled versions expected to hit shelves soon. Brewed using 100% British ingredients, Signo is a 4.5% golden ale with a sweet, fruity flavour profile featuring notes of peach and apricot, a touch of citrus, and a subtle herbal finish. 

The name Signo takes inspiration from Rochdale’s Latin motto, Crede Signo, which means “Trust in this sign.” The beer’s branding carries the tagline “Confidence and trust in culture,” tying in with the town’s cultural celebrations. 

To mark the launch, Councillor Sue Smith, cabinet member for communities and co-operation, visited the Wakey Wakey Brew Company in Rochdale. She met with brewers and representatives from CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale), Rochdale Development Agency, and Rochdale Business Improvement District (BID), all of whom have supported the project. 

Councillor Smith praised the collaboration, saying: “Rochdale has always been a place where innovation and partnership thrive and already this year’s cultural celebrations have really brought that to life. This collaboration between local brewers, sharing their expertise, passion and creativity to craft a new exclusive ale in honour of our status as Greater Manchester Town of Culture certainly captures the essence of Rochdale’s vibrant cultural identity.” 

Anthony Jones from Wakey Wakey Brew Company, based at The Flying Horse Hotel, added: “The spirit of collaboration which Rochdale is famous for is alive and well and it’s been great to see local brewers working together to create this new beer, something memorable for residents and visitors.” 

The breweries behind Signo include Wakey Wakey Brew Company, Twisted Mule Brewery and Tap House, Brid’s Cross Brewing, Serious Brewing Company, and Whitworth Valley Brewing. 

The brewing process takes around ten hours, followed by four to five days of fermentation and two weeks of conditioning. 

You can find Signo at a growing list of venues including: Wakey Wakey Brew Co Pop-up Tap, The Flying Horse Hotel, The Baum, The Pint Pot, The Lucky Duck, The Cemetery, The Hare on the Hill, The Moorcock, Twisted Mule Brewery and Tap House, The Old Post Office, The Hopwood, The Red Lion (Whitworth), The Cap and Whippet, and Middleton Cricket Club - with more locations being added regularly. 

Rochdale was named Greater Manchester’s Town of Culture for 2025/26 by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority. The award celebrates the creativity and diversity of the region’s towns, shining a light on Rochdale’s rich cultural heritage and its global reputation as the birthplace of the co-operative movement. Over 35 arts organisations are involved in delivering an ambitious programme of festivals, exhibitions, performances and events throughout the year. 

The Signo project has been supported by UK Shared Prosperity Funding and Rochdale Town Centre BID. 

Rochdale’s Town of Culture programme is being led by Rochdale Borough Council and Rochdale Development Agency (RDA), in partnership with the borough’s arts community, and backed by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) and Arts Council England. 

To find out more, visit: www.rochdale.gov.uk/TownOfCulture