Mauldons Brewery, Suffolk’s oldest independent brewery, is celebrating International Women’s Day with the launch of Anna Maria, a special edition bitter paying tribute to its pioneering founder, Anna Maria Mauldon.
This new brew marks 230 years of the brewery’s rich heritage, honouring the woman who established the business in 1795 and who paved the way for generations of brewers to come.
In an industry dominated by men, Anna Maria Mauldon was a trailblazer, leading Mauldons Brewery with passion and innovation. To commemorate her legacy, Mauldons has crafted a traditional-style bitter brewed using England’s oldest hop variety, Fuggles, and the renowned Maris Otter malted barley, a 60-year-old variety known for its deep, rich flavour. The result is a dark, malt-driven beer, reminiscent of the ales typical of Anna Maria’s era.
“We are incredibly proud of our history and the woman who started it all,” said Charlie Buckle, managing director of Mauldons Brewery. “Anna Maria was ahead of her time, and we wanted to honour her contributions with a beer that reflects the traditional brewing techniques she would have used. This International Women’s Day, we raise a glass to her legacy.”
Anna Maria has been created by head brewer Steve Birch, who has been with Mauldons for more than 40 years. Later this year he will brew his 25 millionth pint, a remarkable milestone in the brewery’s history.
Sustainability is at the heart of Mauldons’ ethos. The brewery follows a ‘barley-to-bottle’ approach, using malt barley grown on its own farm alongside exceptional UK-grown hops. This not only ensures quality but also reduces the brewery’s carbon footprint.
Anna Maria will be available in a number of pubs across East Anglia, plus The Brewery Tap, in Sudbury, and The Crown, in Bildeston.
