Brakspear has donated £2,890 to Friends of the Earth, generated from sales of its Honey Bee, a seasonal honey ale sold in its pubs during April and May.
The money raised will support the charity’s Bee Cause campaign to help Britain’s under-threat bees. For every pint of Honey Bee sold, Brakspear donated 10p to Bee Cause. It also donated five firkins to Basecamp, Friends of the Earth’s annual environmental festival, in June.
Honey Bee was originally brewed by Brakspear in 2015 and brought back in response to popular demand. This year, it was initially brewed at Brakspear’s Bell Street Brewery, in Henley, and then at the larger Wychwood brewery, in Witney, enabling more Brakspear pubs to sell it.
Brakspear chief executive, Tom Davies, said: “We’re delighted that Honey Bee sold so well across our estate and raised such a good sum for Friends of the Earth’s Bee Cause. This donation is more than double the amount raised two years ago, so will go even further in helping protect our precious bees.
“Honey Bee is a perfect summer beer, ideal for supping in a sunny pub garden, so the recent hot weather certainly helped, along with our customers’ desire to support a worthy cause.
“Brewing a honey beer and supporting the Bee Cause are naturals for Brakspear. Not only do we have a bee in our logo, but many of our pubs have gardens or outdoor floral displays that only thrive thanks to bees.”
Friends of the Earth chief executive, Craig Bennett, said: “Bees are currently facing many threats, such as habitat loss, pesticide use and climate change. The Bee Cause is about encouraging the public to be part of the generation that saves these precious pollinators.
“We’re extremely grateful to Brakspear, their licensees and customers for their support. Not only have they raised a significant sum of money to help our work, they have also raised awareness of the plight of the humble bee.”
Created by Brakspear head brewer, Malcolm Mayo, Honey Bee uses Maris Otter and Crystal malts as well as malted oats, First Gold and Willamette hops. Honey Bee has delicate, subtle honey notes, with a bracing delivery of hops on the follow-through.
