A RUGBY player has kicked off a new alcohol-free beer at his fledgling business.

Sale Sharks scrum half Will Cliff, who coaches players at Knutsford Rugby Club, only recently stepped into brewing.

The 33-year-old teamed up with fellow player Tom Holmes to launch a range of Bach 95 beers during lockdown.

“I wanted to do something as a bit of a distraction, a learning curve,” said Will.

“I have a business degree and came up with this idea.

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“We launched in December 2020 and it went really well.”

The brand name Bach, pronounced ‘batch’, comes from their home town.

“Tom and I grew up in Sandbach,” said Will.

“We thought about having a batch of beer.”

Bach 95 is a reduced calorie premium lager which is also vegan and gluten free.

The beer contains water, malt, hops and yeast.

“We’ve had great feedback on it,” said Will. “It is only 95 calories per can. As people are more concerned with health and wellbeing, it seems to be a popular choice.

“People started asking us if we did an alcohol-free version.

“So we decided to start one. We teamed up with Gregg Sawyer at Knutsford’s Tatton Brewery.

“We came up with a recipe and went back and forth tweaking it.”

Eventually the pair concocted their favourite formula and Bach Zero was born.

“I would describe the taste as flavoursome,” said Will. “We deliberately wanted it to still feel like drinking a beer.

“It is quite crisp and refreshing and still has that hoppy taste.”

The beers are available at Dexter and Jones on Princess Street and The Botanist Bar and Restaurant on Princess Street.

“Our main focus now is on getting more listings in bars and restaurants,” said Will.

“The New World Trading Company has agreed to stock it in their 33 restaurants, including the Botanist group, on their next menu change which is exciting.”

For more details visit bach95.com