Hook Norton Brewery has teamed up with fellow family brewers Everards and Joseph Holt to brew three unique beers as they all celebrate 175 years in business.
The breweries are working together and brewing three different beers this month, in May, and in September, with each head brewer coming up with unique recipes.
All the beers will feature hops from Charles Faram, which has donated them from its existing range and its hop development programme.
Established in 1849 by John Harris, a farmer and maltster, and now with his great-great-grandson James Clarke at the helm, Hook Norton continues to brew award-winning ales, lagers, and stouts.
Tradition runs deep at Hook Norton, which has an iconic Victorian tower brewery where original machinery is still used to brew. It has an estate of pubs at the heart of their communities, and shire horses and drays are still used to deliver beer the traditional way.
“Whilst we have collaborated with other breweries before, working with our fellow family breweries who are also celebrating 175 years of beer and brewing makes these beers extra special, and we are very excited to get brewing!” said James Clarke.
The first of these unique beers, Tower Ale, will be brewed at Hook Norton Brewery, with the brewers from Everards and Joseph Holt on hand to help.
Brewer Andy Thomas said: “We are very excited to be using Olicana in our special one-off 175 beer. We have used Olicana before and loved brewing with it for its tropical and floral notes. This variety, in our eyes, is on another level.
“We’ve combined it with Goldings, the UK’s oldest variety, and Fuggles, a mainstay of our Hooky beers over the years. It’s great to continue our long-standing association with Charles Faram.”
The light amber beer offers floral, light passionfruit, and grapefruit notes on the nose. There’s toffee on the palate, and a light, fruity finish.
The limited edition release is available on the bar at the brewery, in Hook Norton pubs across Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire, Northamptonshire, Warwickshire, and Worcestershire, and also through Everards and Joseph Holt outlets.
