Louth based Fierce Mild wins business competition

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. 

Read Next: New ‘self-care sanctuary’ opens in Dundalk, focused on beauty, wellness & relaxation

"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."