Joseph Holt has created a 175th anniversary beer, in collaboration with two other well-known family breweries also celebrating a century and three-quarters in business.
Joseph Holt head brewer Phil Parkinson with the anniversary beer
The Manchester brewer worked with colleagues from Hook Norton, in Oxfordshire, and Everards, from Leicestershire, on 175 Pale Ale.
Pooling 525 years of shared heritage, Joseph Holt head brewer Phil Parkinson led the collaboration, blending ale, lager, crystal, and wheat malts with English Harlequin hops.
“Our Joseph Holt-led 175 Pale Ale is a light, clean, crisp, refreshing drink that has been brewed with summer in mind,” said Phil. “It’s golden, fruity, and so the perfect refreshing cask ale for a summer’s day.
“The use of Harlequin hops gives it a particularly distinctive character, infusing the brew with subtle hints of stonefruits, ripe damson, and juicy plum. The bitterness is there, but in a balanced way.”
The 4.1% ABV golden ale is one of a trio of limited-edition collaborative brews produced by the three award-winning beer makers at their respective premises. The first, an amber ale, was brewed at Hook Norton last month.
Each anniversary beer represents a different season. All will feature hops from Charles Faram, which has donated them from its existing range and its hop development programme.
The out-of-town beer makers stayed over at Joseph Holt pubs then spent a hands-on day at the brewery to produce the 175 Pale Ale. Also visiting on brewing day were MP Christian Wakeford, as well as Ruth Evans, chair of the Brewing, Food, and Beverage Industry Suppliers Association.
Phil said: “It was really lovely to work with my colleagues from Hook Norton and Everards, trading ideas, sharing our passion for beer making, and supporting each other in our quest to produce memorable ales, as we have done over our long history.”
Joseph Holt was established by a weaver’s son of that name who, with his wife, opened a small brewery in Manchester 175 years ago. In 1860, he purchased the company’s site in Cheetham, close to the city centre, where the Joseph Holt brewery has been making beer ever since.
Chief executive Richard Kershaw, the fifth generation of the family to work at the brewery, said: “We are delighted to work together with Everards and Hook Norton to celebrate our respective anniversaries.
“Each of us represents a key part of Britain’s brewing heritage, through the beers we produce and the fact many of our pubs are part of the history of the local landscape. And so, when planning our 175th anniversary, all three breweries had the idea to do something together and shout about our unique achievements and how special this industry is.
“The commemorative selection of brews will, thanks to their taste, quality, and care, reflect the ethos we all embrace — of strong community values and the highest standards in producing memorable beers.”
175 Pale Ale is now available at Joseph Holt pubs .It will also be available in outlets owned by Hook Norton and Everards, as well as some local free trade outlets. Everards will be leading the collaborative brew of an autumnal dark ruby ale with the other two brewers in September.
Joseph Holt is also marking its anniversary with a charity appeal to raise £500,000 for The Christie Hospital and Holt Radium Institute. The latter was founded by the first Sir Edward Holt in 1914. In 1933, it amalgamated with The Christie Hospital to form The Christie Hospital and Holt Radium Institute.
Richard added: “What we’ve learned from our loyal customers is that they love the personal, authentic, and intimate feel of drinking beer made by family brewers and served in our pubs.
“We have all come a long way since 1849, and salute the founders and trailblazers who had the original vision. It has been said that family brewers are big enough to matter yet small enough to ensure all those involved feel connected. That’s what we will all be raising a glass to with these very special beers.”
