An iconic white hare and memorable strapline – mad about our beer – lead Bath Ales’ brewers down the rabbit hole to create next year’s range of Alice in Wonderland inspired seasonal cask beers.
Head Brewer at Hare Brewery, George Young, talks us through each of the upcoming beers and the importance of a seasonal programme of new brews.
“A seasonal programme is about offering customers something different from their firm favourites and encouraging them to explore the wonderful world of beer styles. It also allows our curious (and curiouser) brewers to experiment with different ingredients and flavour profiles.”
Kicking off the year is White Rabbit, a unique take on the popular IPA beer style. At only 3.6%abv the white IPA is very hoppy and zesty with grapefruit, lime and citrus notes from the classic Cascade and Amarillo hops. Pale in colour with a white head, a crisp and intense bitterness will disappear from the palate.
Up next is March Hare. This New Zealand pale ale is bursting with gooseberry and lime hop aromas, which sets off the sweet malt. At 3.8% abv, this thirst-quenching beer will be sure to put spring in your step. Try March Hare with beer battered fish with twice-cooked chunky chips, mushy peas and homemade tartare sauce.
Available from early May, Cheshire Cat (4% abv) is an easy-drinking, light amber pale ale. Brewed using Citra hops and Olicana – a new, big and fruity English hop – the beer showcases wonderfully unique, bright and juicy tropical, peach and passionfruit aromas. A well-structured biscuit body from the Crystal and Amber malts lead to a nice bitterness and a punchy fruity finish.
Gold in colour, Mad Hatter (3.9% abv) offers the perfect balance of biscuit malt flavours with a hint of honey, complemented by fruity, hoppy, and spicy notes. Aromas of spicy orange and grapefruit lead into an initial honey sweetness in the mouth. With a fine full body for a session ale, beer drinkers will enjoy a medium, but not overpowering, bitterness with a dry grapefruit finish.
End summer on a high, with the Queen of Hearts. Available from the 31st August, this red ale is laced with autumn dark fruits to give it a seasonal twist. At 4.3% abv Queen of Hearts is a warming beer with lots of Crystal malts to add toffee and raisin notes along with sweetness. British hops, Challenger and Bramling Cross, add some pine and spicy notes. A sprinkle of brown sugar also adds some sparkle.
King of Hearts (5.0%abv) is our new, big and robust extra special bitter. Available from late October, this warming brew has dried fruits on the nose with a hint of chocolate. Deep brown in colour with a red tinge, there’s a rich and fruity finish on the palate – like the last taints of the winter sun. Enjoy with a cheese board whilst enjoying the warm winter glow of a log fire.