In March 2019 we crafted a beer with a twist, beer with our friends from the Handsome Brewery, Bowston… it sold out rapidly… we had a chat and we decided we’d be mad not to bottle it…
Keen to experiment with different flavours head brewer and joint founder of the Handsome Brewery Marcin Serwatka, decided to set out to create a beer with a point of difference…
Aware that coffee has made a significant appearance in the beer market with stouts, porters and IPA’s, Marcin hit on the idea of keeping with the beverage theme but instead of coffee using Britain’s favourite drink to infuse his latest beer… good old-fashioned tea…
With that in mind he set about working with John Farrer & Co, Kendal, to create something just a little bit different, especially as it’s Farrer’s 200th anniversary year…
Working with quality ingredients, Lakeland water and Farrer’s best-selling tea, Lakeland Special, Marcin created Handsome ‘Hare’, inspired by the tea party shenanigans of The Hatter and the Mad March Hare penned by Charles Lutwidge Dodgson; aka Lewis Carroll…
The brew went down a storm so the two businesses set about refining and perfecting their recipe so they could begin to bottle it…
Co-founder of the Handsome Brewery, Marcin, said: ‘’The original batch of Hare in kegs sold really quickly. We all realised that we’d hit on something really pretty special interesting and that people loved the flavour. Tea allows brewers to craft some really interesting brews, with subtle flavour notes and a real depth to them. We obviously got it right as we sold out in no time, so, after spending a bit of time perfecting the recipe even more we’ve gone ahead and bottled ‘Hare’. We’ve also started to tinker about with some other tea-based ideas so watch this space…’’
Dave Walsh, John Farrer & Co’s General Manager, said: ‘’When Handsome Brewery approached us and mentioned that they were looking to use tea in a beer I jumped at the chance. I have what you might call a good grounding in the beer industry having worked for a number of small and large breweries over the years, and I thought this collaboration was the perfect opportunity for us work together to create something a little different… I’m pleased to say the first batch of Hare was a great success and we’ve gone ahead and bottled it and are busy looking at other beer with the Handsome team.’’
Hare in bottles is currently available through the Handsome Brewery, Low Sizergh Barn, Country Harvest priced at £3.00 per 500ml bottle.
Contact Farrer’s – sales@farrerscoffee.co.uk or telephone: 01539 720 020
For further information about the Handsome Brewery, Bowston, Kendal, please visit: http://handsomebrew.co.uk/
