Hawkes unveils revamped outpost on Beer Mile

30-May-2019 - Last updated on 30-May-2019 at 11:59 GMT

Branching out: urban cidery Hawkes has revamped its Bermondsey Beer Mile facilities

Craft cidermaker Hawkes has unveiled a new state-of-the-art cidery and taproom at the heart of craft beer destination, the Bermondsey Beer Mile in south London.

The BrewDog-backed maker of Urban Orchard Cider will use its renovated taproom and cidery to push the boundaries of cider making – pressing, fermenting and canning ciders on-site.

Hawkes, which produces cider from apples donated by cider enthusiasts, launched in 2013 and became the first urban cidery to take space on the now-famous craft beer mile, which features brewers such as Anspach & Hobday.

The 8,000sq ft facility, which will feature more than 20 taps, will host a monthly cider school offering guests the chance to cut to the core of the untapped potential of cider in the UK – as told by guest speakers and Hawkes’ expert cider makers.

The cider maker, whose latest launch, Doom & Bloom rose cider, will be available in Young’s estate of more than 200 pubs, each of BrewDog’s UK bars and Hawkes’ new taproom, has also announced plans to begin trials of wild fermentations, use of non-traditional fruits and modernising forgotten cider-making techniques on site.

What’s more, Hawkes will also launch the UK’s first cider pour experience from the Basque region of Spain, where cider is traditionally poured directly from an oak barrel and ‘caught’ with a glass to aerate the liquid.

Cider revolution

Discussing the opening of Hawkes’ new taproom and urban cidery, the cider maker’s founder Simon Wright explained: “This year is going to be massive for Hawkes. We are investing heavily in the cidery and the brand with new products and a brand-new venue.

“There are so many great aspects of cider in Europe but no one bar has placed them together. We’re taking influence from UK cideries, as well as our trips to Basque cideries and seeing how our friends in the US have been making cider bars relevant, to create the biggest celebration of cider in Europe.

“It’s the next big step in our global cider revolution.”