First 175th anniversary beer from Hook, Everards and Holts unveiled

The breweries will work together and brew three different beers in March, May and September with the head brewers 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.

The first brew is Tower Ale 3.8% ABV, of which Hooky said: “Enjoy this unique ale in the best, most enjoyable environment, your local pub with friends and family. Taste tradition with a modern twist.”

Sweet toffee notes​

The beer is described as visually light amber with a smell of floral, light passion fruit and grapefruit notes while the taste invokes sweet toffee notes and a light fruity finish.

Tower Ale is a limited-edition release and 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.

Tradition runs deep at Hook Norton, which was established in 1849 by John Harris, a farmer and a maltster, and now his great great grandson James Clarke is at the helm.

Production takes place at the brewery’s iconic Victorian Tower Brewery where original machinery is still used to brew, with its pubs at the heart of their communities being the beneficiaries and its shire horses and dray are still used to deliver beer.

Extra special​

Hook Norton Brewery Managing Director James Clarke said: “While 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.”

Although Tower Ale will be brewed at Hook Norton Brewery, it will be assisted by brewers from Everards and Joseph Holt.

Brewer Andy Thomas said: “We are very excited to be using Olicana [hops from Charles Faram] in our special one-off 175-year anniversary 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 longstanding association with Charles Faram.”