Justin Hawke, of Moor Beer (right), feels the togetherness with Giampa, of Milan’s Lambrate Brewery, during their collaboration brew
Thirsty Cambridge and Moor Beer have announced Citizens of Everywhere, thought to be the biggest pan-European craft beer collaboration project ever.
It brings together 12 great craft breweries from across the UK and 12 great craft breweries from different European countries. Each pair will brew a beer celebrating an EU achievement.
The beers will be officially launched at a series of events across the UK and the continent on March 22, as well as being distributed to nearly 100,000 subscribers via Beer 52.
The inspiration behind the project comes from the European Union and the beers will each represent one of the 12 stars of the EU flag. As the UK hurtles towards a very uncertain future, Sam Owens, from Thirsty, and Justin Hawke, from Moor Beer, want to do something to remind us of all the positive achievements that have come from our membership of the EU.
Owens said: “The referendum campaign of 2016 was characterised by so much negativity on both sides. I always thought it was such a shame that the positive messages of EU membership were largely drowned out. Back in the autumn, I saw an opportunity to remind everyone of the huge benefits we enjoy across Europe, thanks to this unprecedented exercise in collaboration between nations.”
His first step was to speak to his brewer friend, Hawke, to gauge his reaction. He jumped straight on board and has gone on to play a crucial role in bringing the project to life.
As one of the first recognised craft brewers in the UK and boasting long-standing relationships with great breweries across the country and the continent, he was ideally placed to recruit the other 23 brewers. Hawke additionally brought in Beer 52 and the Bloomsbury Leisure Group to give the project huge UK-wide distribution and exposure. With a range of other partners, including Simpsons Malt, Charles Faram Hop Merchants, eCask, Crown Beverage and Multi Packaging Solutions, the whole of the craft beer supply chain has come on board with the project. All ingredients — including hops — will come from Europe.
Hawke said: “As someone who chose to move to Europe and start my brewery in the UK, this topic is hugely personal. It was crucial for us to avoid a negative, antagonistic tone in what we’re doing. Sure, we believe strongly that it’s a bad idea to leave the EU, but we don’t want to be political.
“At the heart of everything we’re doing is a positive message celebrating all the great things that can be achieved by working together. This project uses beer as a medium for people to really internalise how we must continue building bridges as people, as businesses. and as nations.”
On the naming of the project, Owens added: “Back in October 2016, the Prime Minister said: ‘If you believe you are a citizen of the world, you are a citizen of nowhere.’ As someone who considers himself very much a citizen of the world, I wanted to turn that statement around in a positive way.
“What could be more beautiful than uniting people, businesses and countries to brew wonderful beer? This is a fantastic demonstration of the UK and EU working together, all the way from the growers to the manufacturers, distributors, retailers and consumers. That is well worth raising a glass to and considering why we need to continue working together.”
The collaborations (and the EU achievement each one celebrates…)
Boundary and White Hag = Ease of travel
Five Points and Bevog = Enhanced security and crime prevention
Fyne Ales and Beerbliotek = Protection of workers’ rights
Gipsy Hill and ToOl = Creation of the Schengen Area
Lost & Grounded and Mahrs = Protection of the environment
Moor and Lambrate = Cross cultural collaboration
North and Stu Mostow = Peace in Western Europe
Northern Monk and Guineu = Greater consumer rights
Ramsgate and Pohjala = Spread of democracy
Siren and Kees = Enhanced economic trading
Thornbridge and Brasserie de la Senne = Scientific and technological cooperation
Tiny Rebel and Mont Saleve = Education exchange
