Station anniversary marked with St Pancras International IPA
![IPA 150: London Brewing Company has created an ale to mark the 150th anniversary of St Pancras station (Image: Elliot Brown, Flickr)](https://www.morningadvertiser.co.uk/var/wrbm_gb_hospitality/storage/images/_aliases/wrbm_large/publications/hospitality/morningadvertiser.co.uk/article/2018/09/26/station-anniversary-marked-with-st-pancras-international-ipa2/2923956-1-eng-GB/Station-anniversary-marked-with-St-Pancras-International-IPA.jpg)
A partnership between the London Brewing Company and the London station saw the creation of a 4.8% drop-hopped IPA, called St Pancras International 150.
More than 40 Mitchells & Butlers' pubs near the rail terminus will stock the brew, as the station marks its 150th year on 1 October 2018.
Branding for the ale reflects the design of the iron lattice roof designed by WH Barlow and incorporates the logo of the station.
The IPA can be tried at a beer festival hosted in the station arcade next month, with a pop-up barrel from 1-21 October.
Brewing played a significant role in the early history of the station, which was opened by the Midland Railway Company in 1868.
Victorian heritage
Trains carrying beer from Burton-on-Trent would arrive at the station at least three times a day, bringing a pale-ale revolution to Victorian London.
East Staffordshire brewer Michael Bass used the cellars of the station to break down wooden hogsheads into the smaller casks and bottles distributed to pubs. Eurostar passengers now use this undercroft space as a departure lounge.
Tribute has been paid to this heritage in London Brewing Company’s flagship brews, Chuckaboo Extra Pale Ale, Upright Session IPA, 100 Oysters Stout and Beer Street Best Bitter.
Other ales have been added to the brewco’s roster, with Flying the Mags (a new 3.8% Mild), London Lush (3.8% Pale Ale), and Never Mind the Kent Hops (5.5% ESB), all featuring on the updated listing.
Showcase
The full range of new additions will be featured within Nicholson’s Beer Showcase until 14 October 2018, as part of the Mitchells & Butlers' listing.
Rich White, head brewer at London Brewing Company, said: “We’re having a lot of fun right now at the brewery and we’re all set to show London a great range of beers for the Nicholson’s showcase.
“St Pancras International might be 150-years-old, but our IPA is a great example of 2018 [beer] and we know commuters are going to love it”.