18th April 2010

Hook Norton’s latest beer – Special Dark Mild – is launched to support Campaign for Real Ale promotion

The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) promotes Mild throughout May and celebrates National Mild Day on Saturday 8 May 2010 – and Hook Norton is backing the initiative with the launch of a brand new beer as part of its Brewers Selection series.

Hook Norton SDM- Special Dark Mild – at 4.6 per cent ABV - has a fruity flavour typical of a traditionally English dark mild. Hook Norton Managing Director James Clarke said: “We will be using Bramling Cross hops, in the beer, which I cannot remember us ever using before. I certainly haven’t brewed with them, and they will give the beer a rich dark fruit nose – with a hint of dark cherries and blackberries.

The hopping will be light overall though.” SDM is the second mild in Hook Norton range of quintessential English ales with a modern twist –the North Oxfordshire brewer also produces Hooky Dark, at 3.2 per cent ABV, a contemporary version of an old favourite. It is mild, sweet and thirst quenching. “CAMRA should be congratulated for its promotion of mild beer,” said James Clarke.

“I hope CAMRA members will ask pubs to stock SDM. Milds were once very popular, but fell out of favour as Britain’s industrial heritage declined– however they are now back in vogue and proving to be popular again.” Hook Norton’s Brewers Selection in June is Cotswold Lion 4.2% ABV. It is a pale fruity ale, with a citrus lime aroma, and hopped only with Fuggles.

After a successful launch in 2006, Cotswold Lion is back for a monthly slot. It is the first single hop varietal beer to be brewed by Hook Norton.