Arkell’s brewer Alex Arkell has used his head for the Swindon brewery’s latest seasonal beer – naming it A Tinge of Ginge after his auburn hair.
With his tongue firmly in his cheek, Alex decided to repay the gentle teasing he gets as a redhead and has developed a beer, appropriately, with a subtle ginger taste.
“We’ve added some natural ginger extract to the brew – a pale ale – which balances very nicely with the sweetness of the malt. It’s refreshing, light and perfect for this time of year,” said Alex, who took up his role two years ago and whose family have owned the business since it brewed its first pint in 1843.
“Brewing great beer can be a serious business, but we make it fun, trying out new flavours and tastes, and deciding which ones our customers will enjoy most.
“When I was training to become a brewer I travelled to Europe and the United States which is where I came across the idea for carefully marrying ginger with malt to give a light refreshing beer.”
A Tinge of Ginge, which has an ABV of 3.6%, is available in cask in selected Arkell’s pubs and from Arkell’s Brewery in Stratton. It is also available to buy nationally through Coors.
Alex, son of brewery chairman James and brother of director George has continued Arkell’s tradition of producing unusual one-off, seasonal and commemorative beers – last year he produced a mild for the Royal British Legion to mark the 100th anniversary of the start of the First World War.
The brewery, Swindon’s oldest business, also produces a beer made with organic honey.
Pictured: Alex Arkell, centre, with the Arkell’s brewing team
