Nicholson’s Pubs will launch the new collaboration beer by British journalist, author and presenter Danny Wallace (pictured above with Benedikt Ott, Head Brewer at Truman’s Brewery) and Truman’s Brewery during the forthcoming Nicholson’s Spring Ales Festival.
Tom Ditto IPA (5% ABV) has been created to mark the release of Wallace’s new novel Who is Tom Ditto? published by Ebury Press on 24 April. Nicholson’s will be the first to exclusively distribute the beer nationwide across its 77 pub estate during its festival which takes place from 24 March to 19 April 2014.
Wallace has long professed an admiration for historic pubs and coincidentally includes two of Nicholson’s London pubs, The Bear and Staff and The Dog and Duck, in the new book. Reflecting the east London home of the main key character, Nicholson’s worked with Truman’s – one of the greatest names in East London brewing – to help provide a truly fitting beer to celebrate the novel’s arrival.
Reflecting both London and New York
The American IPA combines the best of British and US hops including Challenger, Centennial and an experimental hop called ‘Wallex’ to mirror the dual settings of London and New York in the book. The secondary character in the book – Pia (an anagram of IPA) resulted in a classic pale gold IPA brew, offering hoppy aromas of citrus zest and fresh red fruits. Full of juicy hoppy flavours it has a refreshing seam of bitterness to balance the malt sweetness.
Entering the Booker Prize…
“I have done my best to brew the greatest beer of all time, which I fully intend to enter into the Booker Prize next year” says Danny Wallace. “The judges will find it intoxicating and moreish, and at 5% ABV, they’ll certainly be thinking about it the next morning. I hope that fans of both Truman’s beers and Nicholson’s pubs will give Tom Ditto IPA a try, because the book will certainly be a lot funnier after a couple of pints.”
Ben Lockwood Assistant Brand Manager for Nicholson’s Pubs says “We’re always looking for innovative beers to showcase during our festivals and to have something as seasonally refreshing and interesting as Danny Wallace’s beer will be a highlight for us. Danny is a great ambassador for British pubs with a real enthusiasm for beer as well, so we’re pleased to be able to use this in a really engaging and innovative way for the benefit of our ale loving guests.”
To find your nearest pub, visit www.nicholsonspubs.co.uk and follow @Nicholsonspubs on Twitter and on Facebook for news updates, events and offers during the festival.
Who is Tom Ditto? by Danny Wallace is published in hardback by Ebury Press on 24 April, priced £12.99.