Hydes has revealed its new ale line-up for 2026, a 12-month celebration of creative hairstyles brought to life through a series of characterful cask releases.
Each monthly release delivers a style supported by bold pumpclip designs that reflect the theme. Bar runners and posters feature the strapline ‘a style for everyone’.
The year opens with Hairy Porter (5.2% ABV). This deep black porter brings together roast malt on the nose with flavours of raisin fruit, dark coffee, and chocolate. Black malts and roasted barley add touches of molasses, liquorice, and dried fruit, giving the beer plenty of warmth through the finish.
February sees the arrival of Mullet Over (4.6% ABV). It is a dark brown premium brown ale with roast and toffee aromas and a mix of biscuit, fruit, and roasted malt on the palate. Three different malts form the base, supported by a lift of citrus from US hops. It lands just as the Six Nations begins and carries the feel of a matchday pint.
In March, Hydes introduces A Cut Above (4% ABV). This dark golden English ale brings a mix of hop and light malt on the nose, with a gentle blend of spicy and floral notes in the taste. Vienna and Cara malts give the beer its colour and depth, and English Boadicea hops help keep the finish clean and easy.
April features Sherlock Combs (4.5% ABV). This pale blonde ale carries a bright citrus aroma with grapefruit and sharp citrus flavours from late additions of US Citra and Cascade hops. Light in colour and refreshing.
May brings Jack of All Shaves (5% ABV). The beer is golden yellow with a fresh, well-balanced aroma and a rounded taste that mixes fruit and soft malt. Pilsner malt and flaked maize create a smooth body and traditional noble hops give a subtle aroma and gentle bitterness.
Tortoise and the Hair follows in June (4% ABV). This blonde ale has a clean citrus aroma and bold citrus notes. It is brewed with flaked rice, extra pale malts, and a generous addition of US Cascade hops, creating a bright and very drinkable summer pint.
For July, the brewery launches It’s Combing Home (4.3% ABV), timed to coincide with the FIFA World Cup. Golden in colour with lively citrus aromas, the beer brings clear grapefruit and lemon flavours, echoing a Mediterranean style that suits warm weather and football-filled afternoons.
August brings Hairway to Heaven (4.3% ABV). This amber premium ale carries citrus on the nose with orange and bright citrus flavours through the taste. Greenwich Crystal malt provides toffee and caramel notes while US Amarillo hops added late in the boil give the beer an uplifting finish.
In September, Hydes offers Short Back and Hydes (4.4% ABV). It is a golden premium ale with fruity, herbal, and light spice aromas. Flagon barley forms a smooth malt base and English Fuggle and Challenger hops give the beer a steadied, balanced character.
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October introduces Trim Reaper (4.2% ABV). This chestnut coloured English Special has spicy and fruity aromas and flavours of spice and black pepper from Fuggles and Bramling Cross hops. The warm chestnut glow and mellow finish suit the darker evenings of autumn.
Hair Force One arrives in November (4.8% ABV). The premium northern ale is unapologetically orange-amber with fruity aromas and a generous malt profile. Amber and Crystal malts create a sturdy base, while US hops give the beer a clean citrus lift. The pumpclip features a familiar presidential hairstyle, guaranteed to spark a conversation at the bar.
December rounds off the collection with Dye Hard (4.5% ABV). This rich chestnut premium English ale blends fruity and spicy aromas with flavours from Maris Otter Pale Ale malt and a combination of English Bramling Cross, East Kent Goldings, and Fuggle hops. Full in flavour and well suited to the festive season.
“There is a lot of variety in this range, and our team has had great fun putting it together,” said Adam Mayers, managing director of Hydes. “We wanted beers with personality, not only in flavour, but in the way they look on the bar.
“It is a line-up that gives drinkers something different each month, and it keeps the bar teams talking as well. We hope it brings a smile along with a good pint.”
