Iconic brewery Joseph Holt has produced a special commemorative beer to mark its 175th anniversary.
The Manchester-based beer markers joined forces with fellow independent family brewers Everards and Hook Norton – who are also celebrating 175 years in business – to brew the `175 Pale Ale ` at its Cheetham Hill premises.
Pooling 525 years of shared heritage, Joseph Holt head brewer Phil Parkinson led the collaboration on the 175 Pale Ale. The result is a blend of ale, lager, crystal and wheat malt as well as home-grown Harlequin hops ( possibly so- called because of their big fruit flavours)
Parkinson said: “Our Joseph Holt led 175 pale ale is a light, clean, crisp refreshing drink that has been brewed with summer in mind. It`s golden, fruity and so the perfect refreshing cask ale for a summer`s day. The use of Harlequin hops gives it a particularly distinctive character, infusing the brew with subtle hints of stone fruits, ripe damson and juicy plum. The bitterness is there but in a balanced way – a true collaboration of these distinctive flavours.”
The 4.1 per cent golden ale is one of a trio of limited-edition collaborative brews produced by the three award-winning beer makers at their respective premises. The first, an amber ale, was brewed at Hook Norton last month – with each anniversary beer representing a different season. All the beers will feature hops from Charles Faram, which has donated them from its existing range and its hop development programme.
The out of town beer makers stayed over at Joseph Holt pubs then spent a hands-on day at the brewery to produce the 175 Pale Ale. Also visiting on brewing day were MPs Christian Wakeford as well as Ruth Evans, chair of the Brewing, Food & Beverage Industry Suppliers Association.
“It was really lovely to work with my colleagues from Hook Norton and Everards,` adds Parkinson, “trading ideas, sharing our passion for beer making and supporting each other in our quest to produce memorable ales as we have done over our long history.”
Joseph Holt was established by weaver`s son Joseph Holt, who, with his wife, first opened a small brewery in Manchester 175 years ago. In 1860, he purchased the company`s site in Cheetham, close to the city centre, where the Joseph Holt brewery has been making beer ever since and where the 175 Ale has been brewed.
“We are delighted to work together with Everards and Hook Norton to celebrate our respective anniversaries” added chief executive Richard Kershaw who is the fifth generation of the family to work for Joseph Holt. “Each of us represent a key part of Britain`s brewing heritage, through the beers we produce and the fact many of our pubs are part of the history of the local landscape.
“And so, when planning our 175th Anniversary all three breweries had the idea to do something together and shout about our unique achievements and how special this industry is.
“The commemorative selection of brews will, thanks to their taste, quality and care, reflect the ethos we all embrace – of strong community values and the highest standards in producing memorable beers.”
175 ale is now available at Joseph Holt pubs .It will also be available in outlets owned by Oxfordshire based Hook Norton and Everards who are based in Leicestershire as well as some local free trade outlets.
