Greene King is launching its first international cask collaboration, with Uiltje Brewing Company, recreating popular Dutch beer Bird of Prey as a seasonal cask ale.
The project began last year with the two brewers discussing how they could adapt one of Uiltje’s most popular beers as a cask brew. The goal was to continue to innovate in the cask category and show its versatility, while also offering support for a foreign brewer to launch its name in UK pubs.
Following Greene King’s visit to Haarlem and the Uiltje Brewery, the recipe was crafted in Bury St Edmunds and the beer was recreated as a cask ale that also aligned to the brewing process at Greene King.
Bird of Prey is a 5.2% ABV fruity, hoppy IPA, full of citrus and tropical flavours. The Greene King brewing team, with support from Uiltje, worked hard to match the balance of hop aromas and flavours that many people in the Netherlands enjoy with Bird of Prey.
The original Bird of Prey beer continues to be produced by Uiltje Brewing Company as a keg product and at 5.8% ABV. However, the cask edition available in the UK will be at 5.2%, to meet consumer preferences here, which is for a slightly lower ABV in golden ales, says Greene King.
The golden cask ale will be available for customers to order, including independent venues, in the UK throughout May and June.
Positive feedback
“Bird of Prey is our first ever international collaboration, and it’s been a fantastic opportunity to work with the brilliant brewers at Uiltje,” said Greene King technical brewer Adam Fulcher.
“It has been a great challenge to craft a beer that was not originally brewed as a cask ale, and this really showcases the flexibility of cask and the variety it can offer drinkers. We have conducted consumer research on Bird of Prey, and feedback is really positive, so I am confident it will be a hit for the new seasonal calendar.”
Aditya Parupudi, master brewer at Uiltje Brewing Company, added: “We are excited to make our first cask debut with Greene King, and we can’t wait for guests to try the beer in pubs.
“Working with the brewers at Greene King, who are legends, has been a great experience, and it’s been so interesting to take one of our favourite products and give it a British cask finish for people to enjoy on the bar this summer across the UK. It really is going to blow people’s socks off.”
