Just in time for the whole of the UK to go rugby crazy, Fuller’s has launched a brand new seasonal ale, Front Row.
Front Row is a wonderfully moreish 3.7% beer, which will be available throughout February and March in selected Fuller’s pubs.
It is a lovely light ruby coloured ale which is certain to quench the thirst even after the toughest battle in the scrum.
The beer was officially launched on Tuesday 1st Feb at an event held at one of Fuller’s most iconic rugby pubs, The Turk’s Head, just a stone’s throw from Twickenham Stadium.
The event was hosted by former England, Gloucester and Wasps front row player Phil Vickery.
When we received the invite it was a hard call to make, do we really want to spend an afternoon in a pub drinking beer with one of England’s finest ever rugby players. We hastily re arranged several meetings and went along.
The Turk’s head is a great pub with a welcome feel to it.
The pub staff and the Fuller’s team were all very friendly and a glass of beer was handed to us on entry, all good so far.
Next came the food, a very moreish selection of buffet bites, and I enjoyed more than one roast beef and horseradish yorkshire pudding type thingy that was very tasty indeed. Next time I go to a match I know where I’m going first.
Phil Vickery and John Roberts, Managing Director of Fuller’s did the formal launch bit, in a very informal way. Both were relaxed and seemed very happy to drink beer and talk rugby.
Phil then took questions, of which there were many, and one or two answers were definitely in the category of ‘what goes on tour stays on tour’, frank and from the heart, refreshing.
Phil poured the first pints of Front Row and the pub staff handed them out.
Front Row is a light and easy beer to drink, and numerous were consumed personally to check for consistency of taste quality, inspection passed.
When the official bit was finished Phil hung around talking to pretty much everyone and was all in all a great ambassador for Fuller’s.
The next stage of promotion will see anyone who buys a pint of Front Row able to enter a simple text-to-win competition, for the chance to score some fantastic limited edition Front Row merchandise from Phil Vickery’s Raging Bull brand. More details available this Friday (5th) and will be featured in our sister site Technology4Hospitality.com
The Fuller’s Head Brewer, John Keeling, said; “I live just a short walk away from Twickenham myself so the chance to brew a beer themed around one of the nation’s favourite sports is one I have enjoyed immensely.
“Front Row is very drinkable and has a real fruity bitterness from the Challenger hops that we have included in the brew. Its ABV makes it a true session beer, perfect for enjoying a pint either side of half time.”
John Roberts, Managing Director of The Fuller’s Beer Company, added: “There are few greater pleasures than watching a game of rugby with a pint in hand and we are confident Front Row will really hit the spot for rugby fans.
In particular we think the pump clip will appeal as not only is it impactful, but appropriately, a bit wider than those of our permanent range.
“Fuller’s Front Row is a great addition to our seasonal ales portfolio and will help drive further excitement around the coming rugby internationals for publicans.”
Fuller’s Front Row joins Gales Swing Low on the London brewer’s seasonal beer list. Gales Swing Low will return at a later date.
Last and not least, if any of our site visitors enjoy the occasional flutter, Phil reckons England by 5 points this Friday against Wales…
Update 9th Feb Newsletter day – With the benefit of hindsight England won by 7 points, so next time we will publish Phil’s predictions as story 1, hope you were on it !!