6th January 2009

Hooky brings excitement to the bar
with seasonal beer list

The brewing team at Hook Norton have been busy. Drawing on 150 years of brewing heritage they have come up with a spectacular list of 11 seasonal beers for 2009, in addition to their regular brews.

Dark beers, light beers, a single varietal hop beer and the first one to be made by Hook Norton using wheat, Summer Haze, which will be available in August, all feature.

Hook Norton Managing Director James Clarke said: “Our seasonal beer list offers drinkers something extra when they visit a pub. “Each seasonal is different and best enjoyed at the appropriate time of year, as an ideal accompaniment to the weather mood and food of the season.”  

The year begins with Double Stout. It's blend of dark malts gives Double Stout a character all of its own. Black malt enriches the colour and teases the palate with an unmistakable toast flavour. Brown malt gives the beer its satisfying dryness.
In March look out for First Light, a very pale, light brew with a complex hop aroma.
April sees the return of 303AD - brewed to celebrate the death of England’s St George.
In May, Cotswold Lion roars once more. A pale fruity ale, it is hopped only with Fuggles.
In June drinkers will be enthused by Inspired, a premium pale beer with a slight orange hue. July’s offering is Haymaker, a strong pale ale of distinctive taste from the abundance of Goldings hops.
Hook Norton’s first wheat beer appears in August. Summer Haze, pictured,  is light, fruity and refreshing.
September’s beer is Copper Ale, first brewed to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Hook Norton.
In October, Flagship returns, a beer originally brewed to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar.
November’s favourite is Steaming On, a dark reddish, brown ale, with a very unusual slightly smoky flavour.
And as Christmas beckons December’s seasonal is Twelve Days, a strong, dark brown beer, offering a dominantly malty palate.

Images of pump clips are available on request.