LIVERPOOL BEER COLLECTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS

​Here's the run down of who is currently running things in the Liverpool Beer Collective:

Pedro Cotzier
How I came to this point in chairing the Liverpool Beer Collective is a very, very long story.  I’ll spare the details on that!  But suffice to say, from a background in working in kitchens many years ago to taking an interest in real ale and wine, things aligned a few years ago.  The explosion in interest and thirst for craft beer from 2012 onward in the UK coincided with the writing I was doing and gradually through building up a network, the Liverpool Beer Collective was born.  I have always loved food and drink; the wonderful tastes and textures, the backstories behind creation and the people involved – it seemed natural to dedicate time to promote them in my home city.

In terms of a favourite beer, I really do have to sit on the fence here.  It depends entirely on the setting.  Is the beer with food?  At a gig?  In a pub? In a newly established brew tap?  I’ve never discriminated against any style of dispense – beers can be great in keg, cask, bottle or can, as each has their own virtues, nuances and advantages for a beer.  In terms of style, IPAs or Pale Ales have provided me with the bedrock of my favourites; they are perfect for any day or night, warm or cold.  The most memorable beer I have tried has to be Siren Craft’s Bones of a Sailor Part III; an imperial stout aged on raspberries and cacao in sherry casks - such a complete beer and one I’ve sadly not been able to get my hands on for years now, being a very limited edition.  The last year has gone all too quickly, but I am quite proud that I was able to set up and build on a gruelling Tryanuary campaign by setting up the first ever Liverpool Beer Week.  It was great to experience such willingness from so many people to get involved and I can’t wait to see things grow year on year for Merseyside and the Beer Week.

You can follow Pedro on Twitter here: twitter.com/PedroCotzier

Angela Cottrell
My first taste of beer was at the ripe age of 2 years old, with the classic ‘oops my dummy fell into my dads pint and I have to fish it out with my whole arm’.  So by the time I reached the legal age of drinking I certainly had a thirst for beer.  It wasn’t until I met my now husband, however, that I was really introduced to the wonderful huge world of real ales and craft beer. 

My favourite style literally changes depending on a whole range of things - the weather, my mood, the occasion for drinking etc. However, I really can’t get enough of NEIPAs and DIPAs. I only discovered my real love of NEIPAs recently whilst on our Honeymoon. Our first week was in San Francisco where NEIPAs were aplenty, however Las Vegas was dry (pun intended) until we visited the old town and I kept reordering Local Craft Beer Pillow Party. 
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With my love of craft beer now established and having visited other cities such as Manchester and Leeds I felt our city was behind in the beer scene and I wanted to be involved in changing that. I’m proud of our city and people and believe our independents are worth shouting about. Liverpool should be on the beer city map and, although it will take hard work and time from all involved, I can see it growing in the not too distant future. I’ll be proud to say this is my city and I’m a part of the vibrant beer scene here.

You can follow Angela here: twitter.com/MrsCottrella

Jaime Greer
I've always been into beer as long as I can remember.  But, since acquiring a job in a bottle shop back in 2014, was were the great adventure really started. I became very passionate about exploring different styles and flavours, embracing a world of beer I never new existed.

I don't really stick to any one style, so I do have a few favourites in a variety such as a brilliant sour in Trolltunga (Buxton/Lervig), a big modern IPA in Sell Out Juice (Brew York/Vocation) and one of my all time favourites is a stout, Bourbon Milkshake.

I've been on the Committee since the inception of the Liverpool Beer Collective and focus mainly on supporting other members and managing some of our social media output.  After the work that went into Liverpool Beer Week, I can't wait to see what's next!
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Jaime manages Crosby Beer Bottle Shop and you can follow Jaime here: 
twitter.com/JaimeBottleBeer

Neil Ashton
It all started with curiosity of what a beer festival was and how they might operate. So i attended CAMRA's Winter Ales festival in Manchester (i think it was 2006-2007ish) and the sheer variety of beer and breweries involved blew my mind!  Since then i've been on a personal quest to obtain the world's best beers, but to also move into the beer industry in regards to my career.

I'm torn almost perfectly in half on this. Part of me loves the murky juicebombs purveyed by the likes of Cloudwater, Northern Monk, Garage, Wylam etc. The rest of me craves high-ABV dessert stouts made popular by thd likes of Omnipollo, Buxton and more recently, Wander Beyond.

I joined the collective in order to immerse myself further in the Merseyside/West Lancs scene and get my finger closer to the pulse.  But equally important is my desire to help grow the scene itself and begin to reclaim the area in the name of independent businesses!

Neil runs Cat Hop Beers with Sam, you can follow them here: ​twitter.com/CatHopBeers

Samantha Ashton
My love of beer definitely came from my Dad. He has always been a beer lover, and it definitely rubbed off on me. Unfortunately I had a few years of drinking not the most describable beers, before I discovered real ales and started to attend beer festivals. Over the years I discovered craft beers and from then on my love of beers has grown  into a true passion and getting to discover new and exciting breweries around the UK and beyond has been amazing!  

I am a hopmonster; the hoppier the better. My favourite breweries at the minute include Garage Brewing, Northern Monk Brewery and Cloudwater,

I joined the collective to get more involved in the beer scene across the north west! Getting to meet like minded people, and have a hand in helping raise the beer scene has been a fantastic experience.

Sam runs Cat Hop Beers with Neil, you can follow them here: ​twitter.com/CatHopBeers

Marena Mondair
How did I get into beer? Well I think would have to say that I owe this great privilege to my dearest Father!
Needless to say, I never thought I would eventually be the one recommending beers to him!

In terms of my favourite beer or style, I do love a crisp Pils in the summer (she says, writing this whilst sat in a beer garden in Stuttgart!).  Other than that, I do really enjoy an American pale ale and I love IPAs, with the classic Thornbridge Jaipur and Kashmir being particular favourites! 

I joined the Collective as I think our local beers here in Merseyside are really great though they need to be in the common field, all about bringing a little bit of beer(y) joy and happiness to the world!

You can follow Marena on Twitter, here: twitter.com/Marena_LFC