In June, Stockport’s beer lovers were devastated to learn that Thirst Class Ales of Reddish was shutting its doors for good, with brewing ceasing immediately and the online shop closing at the end of August.

Owner Richard Conway posted on Facebook: “The trials of the coronavirus pandemic and the current cost of living situation have made trading conditions tough, and I’m finding it increasingly difficult to carve a living in what was already a difficult industry to begin with.

“After much soul searching, I’ve decided now is the time to wind things down and start a new adventure.”

But there was a bittersweet twist in the tail for Richard. Every year, Stockport CAMRA hosts a competition for home brewers.

This year, the category winners in this long-running event were invited to brew their beers at a commercial brewery, which then allowed them to be sold to the public.

The winning beers were available at the Stockport Beer and Cider Festival, as well as in local pubs, at the end of June.

Howard Crook, of Cheadle Hulme’s Chiverton Tap Brew Club, brewed his winning 6.8 per cent Black West Coast IPA with Richard at Thirst Class in what turned out to be the final beer mashed in before the brewery closed.

Then after a public vote, the brew went on to win top prize in the Beer of the Festival competition against 200 rivals.

The winning brew was called An Abundance of Daves after the realisation that many of the regulars at one of Howard’s favourite pubs, the award-winning Petersgate Tap in Stockport, were called Dave.

It was very appropriate that the Beer of the Festival Gold award was handed over to the winning brewers at the Tap itself. During the evening, many of the remaining Thirst Class beers, including the winner, were available for the thirsty crowd of Daves and others to enjoy for the last time.

The presentation was made by Stockport and South Manchester CAMRA branch chairman John Clarke who said: “The Beer of the Festival award is one of our most sought-after honours. While we are all very sad to see the end of Thirst Class, and wish Richard all the very best for the future, the brewery is at least going out on a high.”

Pictured from left Thirst Class owner Richard Conway and home brewer Howard Crook.