In a bid to tackle the often-overlooked issue of men’s mental health, McColl’s Brewery has embarked on a groundbreaking initiative. The Mayday project, a nationwide collaboration involving six other breweries and 25 venues across the UK, aims to raise funds and shatter the stigma surrounding men’s mental well-being.

At the helm of this project are Danny McColl, the brewery’s owner, and Simon Whittington, the head brewer. Danny, who grapples with ongoing mental health challenges, found solace in channelling his experiences into a cause that resonates deeply with him. “For me, it was work-life balance which swelled into making my mental health a massive issue. The workload became a crucial tipping point. I was overwhelmed,” Danny candidly shared.

The Mayday project doesn’t just stop at brewing exceptional beers; it’s a catalyst for vital conversations. Danny says, “This project is a way to help men to talk, get out of the situation they’re in and realise there’s help out there. We want to develop the conversation and try to break down the macho stigma of blokes and beer.”

Collaboration is key

Working with renowned breweries like Roosters Brewery Co., Abbeydale Brewery and Attic Brew Co., McColl’s Brewery has crafted a series of special edition beers, each carrying a message of hope and resilience. From the Perfect Circle Session Cold IPA to the Parachute Pale Ale, these beers symbolise unity in addressing mental health challenges. 15p from every can and pint sold will be divided between men’s health causes Man Up?, The Grieving Pint and Men’s Pie Club – once the beers have sold out.

Simon Whittington emphasised the power of collective effort, stating, “It’s been amazing to see that although every brewery produces beer, everyone goes about it in a slightly different way.” He believes Mayday is a testament to the brewing community’s solidarity in tackling real-world issues.

Chris Smith, Programme Manager at Men’s Pie Club, lauded McColl’s innovative approach to leverage the brewing community’s reach to spark meaningful conversations. “The Mayday project builds on McColl’s innovative efforts in using the inherent value of beer and its wider community to connect people and to facilitate conversations in an approachable and accessible way,” Chris remarked.

Supported by BarthHaas X, a leading hop supplier, the Mayday project isn’t just about raising awareness; it’s about fostering a culture of openness and support. As the Mayday beers hit the shelves of participating venues across the UK, they carry with them a message of hope.

The Mayday beers

The Mayday beers are:

• Roosters Brewery Co. x McColl’s Brewery Perfect Circle (4.3%) Session Cold IPA

• Moor Beer x McColl’s Brewery Changing Minds (2.5%) Hoppy Table Beer

• McColl’s Brewery x Abbeydale Brewery Signal (5.5%) Extra Hoppy Bier

• Brew York x McColl’s Brewery A Problem Shared (5.8%) West Coast IPA

• Attic Brew Co. x McColl’s Brewery Life Raft (3.8%) Session Pale

• Anspach & Hobday x McColl’s Brewery Parachute Pale (4.5%) Pale Ale

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Through the Mayday project, McColl’s Brewery is paving the way for a more inclusive and supportive society. The Mayday beers launch at venues across the UK on Friday 26th April. For more information, to buy the beers, or find your nearest launch venue, please visit the website here.

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