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Chapel Down reveals first beer NPD following appointment of previous Brewdog MD

Published:  09 April, 2018

Chapel Down has via its beer arm, Curious Brewery, launched a series of small batch beers – the first NPD from the producer since it appointed previous Brewdog MD Gareth Bath as its ‘MD of beer’ in October last year.

The first Curiouser & Curiouser brew, which is produced in collaboration with brewers from around the UK and leans on winemaking influences, is a Wild Fermented Chardonnay & Bacchus Sour Ale that has been created in partnership with Somerset’s The Wild Beer Company.

The limited edition brew, a total of 1,500 bottles has been produced, is barrel-aged with Chardonnay & Bacchus wine yeast creating a “uniquely complex beer”, with the fresh acidity from the sour ale balanced by the smooth and textural flavours characteristic of English wine to give intense aromas of citrus and toasted nuts with a hint of vanilla, said Curious Brewery.

The name Curiouser & Curiouser links to Alice in Wonderland and each beer in the collection will be a different chapter number. The first release, Chapter 1, has subtle connotations to the book in the packaging – such as a neck tag around the bottle which reads ‘Drink Me: Every adventure requires a first sip’.

In homage to its winemaking influence, Chapter 1 is bottled in a 75cl wine bottle, sealed with a crown cork and The Wild Beer Company’s signature wax seal.

Available now form the newly launched Curious Brewery website, the 4.9% ABV ale comes with a £20 retail price.

The brew would offer beer-drinkers something completely new –“beer made by leading winemakers and some of the UK’s most forward-thinking brewers”, said Bath.

The next beers in the series would be launched throughout 2018, each in partnership with a different brewer and each with a "curious winemaking twist", he added.

Responsible for the growth and development of Chapel Down’s premium Curious beer and cider, Bath was brought on board as part of “ambitious growth plans” for the portfolio, which was also given an overhaul in October designed to reinforces its credentials as a “highly premium English lager with a winemaker’s complexity, style, intelligence and elegance”.

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