Sussex-based craft brewer Hepworth & Company is launching a new range of canned beers, named after its home county.
The Sussex range will be available from this month in pubs, retail and through the Hepworth’s brewery shop and web store. It marks a change of direction for Hepworth & Co, creating a more contemporary image for the brewery, which is blazing a trail for sustainable brewing.
All four beers in the range — Sussex Premium Lager, Sussex Premium Pale Ale, Sussex Premium APA, and Sussex Low Alcohol Lager — are packaged in black 330ml cans with single-colour graphics that ensure strong standout on-shelf. They are all gluten free and vegan friendly, and brewed from local ingredients where possible.
The beers are the first new brews from Hepworth’s to roll off the brewer’s canning line, installed last summer. The 3,000 cans/hour capacity line is already used for contract canning, for a range of customers including M&S, Hiver, Coalition, and Prime Time.
Hepworth has secured listings for the Sussex range in Abel and Cole and a number of independent free trade customers in Sussex. Support for the range includes branded glassware and table talkers for the on-trade, and social media via Twitter and Facebook.
Hepworth & Co has a new team, led by managing director Leo Murphy, who was appointed to the role last autumn. Dave Paterson joined at the start of 2023 as head of sales and marketing, working with Leo to update the Hepworth image while retaining its core ethos of sustainable brewing and quality ingredients.
“The launch of the Sussex range marks a step change for Hepworth’s,” said Leo. “We have always had a reputation for brewing top-quality beers and for leading the way on sustainable brewing. We installed the world’s first beer source heat pump, among other measures.
“However, the way we presented our beers to the world, in terms of branding and pack design, didn’t always communicate that combination of brewing excellence and innovation.
“We’re seeking to do that now with the launch of the Sussex range, which places Hepworth’s firmly in the craft beer space, while keeping the brewing tradition that has been at the core of the brewery since it was founded by Andy Hepworth in 2001.”
Brewer’s tasting notes
Sussex Premium Lager (3.5% ABV)
A contemporary English Lager produced in the finest craft traditions. Refreshing, clean tasting, and long on the palate, due to the combination of the finest Sussex-grown ingredients, including malted barley and Goldings Admiral hops. Sussex Lager carries the warranty of Origin to guarantee Hepworth’s commitment to creating excellent beers from the highest quality local ingredients. Available in 330ml can and on draught in keg.
Sussex Premium Pale Ale (5.5% ABV)
Brewed with the finest Sussex Ingredients and four British hops to provide great balance with strong hop overtones that complement the taste on the drinker’s palate and provide a very easy-drinking ale. Available in 330ml can and on draught in keg.
Sussex Premium APA (5% ABV)
Hepworth’s brewers have been working on this premium American pale ale using hand-picked malts and hops (Chinook and Cascade) to deliver an exceptional beer, full of the fruit and depth of flavour you’d expect from an APA. Naturally carbonated. Available in 330ml can and on draught in keg.
Sussex Low Alcohol Lager (0.5% ABV)
Brewed with agave rather than standard malt, this low-alcohol lager has a full flavour and a taste redolent of the best Czech or German beers, but without the alcohol. Brewed with a combination of lager hops with body added through the use of agave. Available in 330ml cans — draught beer coming shortly.
