Strong Suffolk, a Greene King beer believed to date back to the 1920s, is making a return to the brewer’s bottled portfolio for a limited time this winter.
The rare and much-loved ale, coming in at 6% ABV, was last brewed in 2018. Due to high demand, it is returning this year ahead of the Christmas period as a special one-off brew.
No significant changes have been made to the brewing process, or the beer’s notes of fruitcake, sultanas, and dried fruit, as well and spice and oak.
The main change is the refresh of its well-known badge. Dipping into the archives, Greene King has resurrected one of the original label designs for the limited batch as a nod to the beer’s history.
The blended beer is the result of an innovative yet traditional brewing process, taking a strong 12% ABV ale base which has been fermented and matured in 100-barrel oak vats. The maturing process can take up to two years and creates a rich Madeira wine-tasting palate.
As part of an old technique that has been lost over time by most breweries, the lids of the vats are covered in marl, a word in Suffolk to describe a type of sandy gravel. This stops the lids of the vessels being lifted by the secondary fermentation, and prevents wild yeasts and bacteria from infecting the beer.
After the beer is blended with a dark, full-bodied beer, called BPA, it undergoes a process that combines old and new techniques. The result is a dark ale with masses of deep, fruity flavour.
“We are extremely proud to announce the return of one of our most popular beers here at the Greene King brewery,” said head brewer Jack Palmer.
“Strong Suffolk is a fond favourite amongst beer lovers everywhere, and as it’s only available for a limited time we’re sure it’s going to go quickly!
“The freshly-brewed dark beer is commonly referred to as reminiscent of old English ales, making it a great example of Greene King’s drinking heritage that we take a lot of pride in.
“The unique brewing process of the ale is something we value here at Bury St Edmunds, and we’re very much looking forward to celebrating its return as a limited-edition brew.”
