Two local brewers are showing their gratitude for the ‘penny off the pint’ announced in the Budget with brews to thank the Chancellor George Osborne and Sajid Javid, Economic Secretary to the Treasury, for making the historic decision.
Appearing as guest ales in the House of Commons
Tatton Brewery in the Chancellor’s Tatton constituency has produced a beer called ‘Pennies From 11’, while Bird’s Brewery, based in Javid’s Bromsgrove seat, has brewed ‘Sajid’s Choice’. Both have been produced as ‘one off’ brews and are only available to pubs in their local area, but will also be on tap in the Strangers’ Bar at the House of Commons next month, as part of the regular guest ale appearances for MPs’ local beers, established by the All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group.
Keith Bott, chairman of the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA), to which both brewers belong, said, “There is surely no more better way to celebrate the duty cut than with a pint of British beer. We’re delighted that Tatton and Bird’s have brewed these commemorative ales to thank their MPs and we urge licensees and beer drinkers in Tatton and Bromsgrove to celebrate with a glass of Pennies From 11 or Sajid’s Choice.”
He added, “The lobbying efforts of the 650 local brewers belonging to SIBA, including Tatton and Bird’s, were crucial in bringing about the first reduction in beer duty since 1
959. Our case, that high levels of beer duty were damaging the UK’s pubs and the communities they support, clearly struck a chord with many MPs and, ultimately, with Sajid Javid and George Osborne.”
Pennies from 11
Tatton’s Pennies From 11 is a 5.2% traditional Burton-style bitter, brewed using classic all-British ingredients, typically used in the mid-20th century, with pale, amber and crystal malts, Fuggles and Goldings hops, and an invert sugar. It has a rich copper colour, just like the penny that has been ‘saved’.
Sajid’s Choice
Sajid’s Choice from Bird’s Brewery is a 3.8% pale, straw coloured ale brewed with Hersbrucker hops to give a hoppy, slightly bitter finish to balance the delicate maltiness from the extra-pale malt.