Louth based Fierce Mild wins business competition
This year Fierce Mild, also won the inaugural Love Irish Food & Sky Media “Taste of TV” Fund
Fierce Mild, a Dundalk based non-alcoholic brewery, has been named the winner of The Pitch 2025, one of Ireland’s most high-profile entrepreneurial competitions, run by IMAGE Media in partnership with Samsung. The prize package, valued at €150,000, includes media, mentoring and technology support to accelerate the growth of Ireland’s most ambitious startups.
This year Fierce Mild, also won the inaugural Love Irish Food & Sky Media “Taste of TV” Fund in 2025, earning a €50,000 national TV campaign, as well as securing a place with Food Works 2025 (accelerator program by Bord Bia, Enterprise Ireland and Teagasc for high potential, globally scalable food and drink start-ups), winning the only gold medal in the low/no alcohol category at the 2025 Irish Quality Food and Drink awards and named a finalist in the Blas na hEireann Food & Drink Awards (results announced October 2025).
“Winning The Pitch is a huge moment for us,” said Fergal, Fierce Mild. “For too long, non-alcoholic beer has meant settling for less. Fierce Mild proves you don’t have to. Recognition like this, alongside Taste of TV and our participation in Food Works, shows that Ireland is ready for an independent, flavour-first alternative in a category dominated by global giants.”
The company said: "Fierce Mild has grown rapidly since launching its flagship extra pale ale FIERCEMILD Non Alc® in 2024. The brand has sold more than 200,000 bottles and is available in 250+ venues nationwide. Unlike most multinational competitors, who brew regular beer and then strip out the alcohol (taking flavour with it), Fierce Mild is brewed differently from the start. Using a specialised yeast that naturally limits fermentation, the brewery produces non-alcoholic beer that retains full flavour and character - with no compromise.
"The wider non-alcoholic beer market is also on the rise. According to the latest Drinks Ireland / IBEC Beer Market Report, sales of non-alcoholic beer in Ireland grew 25% in 2024, making it one of the fastest-growing segments in drinks.
"With support from The Pitch — including a tailored suite of Samsung technology, a bespoke media and marketing campaign with IMAGE Media, and invaluable mentorship from leading entrepreneurs Bobby Kerr and Áine Kerr — Fierce Mild plans give people of Ireland more choice when it comes to non-alcoholic beer."