Black Sheep Brewery is delivering the perfect gift to pubs this Christmas with the return of its festive brews, while continuing the revelling at its award-winning visitor centre throughout December and into the New Year.
Black Sheep’s Monty Python-inspired, ‘very naughty’ pale ale, Brian, along with Blitzen will be available in pubs and bars for the remainder of December.
At 3.9% ABV, Brian, a beautifully balanced pale ale, was created in collaboration with Monty Python, in 2016, and named in homage to the comedy troupe’s 1979 film, ‘Monty Python’s Life of Brian’.
Blitzen, a 4.0% ABV ruby ale, is also making a return, as the pair complete the Masham-based brewery’s seasonal ale calendar for 2017 – its silver anniversary year.
Brian and Blitzen will be available in 500ml bottles at Black Sheep’s visitor centre and online at blacksheep.co.uk too, along with ‘Legacy 25’, the brewery’s limited edition, 750ml bottled beer that has been created to recognise Black Sheep’s 25th anniversary.
Full of Yorkshire character, Legacy 25 has been brewed to offer a warm fruity nose, perfect for the December festivities, blended with Pale and Crystal malts combined with Goldings hops, which produce a beer full of depth, flavour and bite.
The launch of Legacy 25 forms part of Black Sheep’s silver anniversary celebrations, which have included the creation of 54 Degrees North, the brewery’s first lager, in July, as well as several industry awards wins for the company.
The Black Sheep Brewery Visitor Centre, which is in Masham, North Yorkshire, at the site of the brewery, will be open throughout the festive period, with the exception of Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
On Christmas Eve, it will be open from 10am-4pm, reopening on Tuesday, 27th December. On New Year’s Eve the brewery will be open from 10am-5pm and from 10am-5pm on both New Year’s Day and Monday, 1st January.
Jo Theakston, Sales and Marketing Director at Black Sheep Brewery, said: “It’s been an unforgettable year for Black Sheep with our anniversary and many celebrations, so it was only right to spread plenty of Christmas cheer! Rudolph will be taking a backseat this December as Blitzen gets the limelight at the bar, with a bit of mischief and naughtiness from Brian to get people right in the Christmas spirit.
“As always, our popular visitor centre has received a festive facelift, with plenty of tinsel, events and offers available, and even an early sighting of the big man in red himself! Whether it’s a last minute gift or a treat, our online shop and ‘Sheepy Shop’ at the visitor centre have plenty to offer, as well as a host of festive feasts and meals.”
Jo added: “We only have a limited run of Legacy 25, so be sure to get it while it’s available, so you can raise a glass to our first quarter century of brewing!”
ENDS
NEWS RELEASE: ISSUED ON BEHALF OF BLACK SHEEP BREWERY
CONTACT: Jamie Collis on 01325 363436
Editors Notes:
The Black Sheep Brewery in Masham made its first beer in 1992 after being built up by Paul Theakston, whose family had brewed in the area for six generations.
In a world of ever increasing bland, mass-produced beer Paul saw an opportunity to return to what his family had done best since 1827, making real beer in the time-honoured fashion.
An old maltings building, once part of Lightfoot’s Brewery became the Brewery’s home. This landmark building, which stands high over the banks of the Ure, had fallen in to disrepair as years of neglect as a semi-redundant grainstore had taken its toll. Paul assembled a small team around him to fight the rats and build a traditional country brewery.
The Black Sheep Brewery name derived from Masham’s association with sheep, but ‘Sheep Brewery’ didn’t quite sound right, so with a little creativity from Paul’s wife the Black Sheep Brewery was born, a name that sat well with the area, spoke volumes about the maverick attitude to the multi-nationals seeking to dominate the brewing industry and captured the essence of the family struggle that led to our birth.
Black Sheep Ale at 4.4% ABV, now in an eco-friendly lightweight bottle, continues to maintain its presence among the top ten premium bottled ale brands, and is available nationwide from virtually all the major supermarket retailers. It is a classic premium bitter and as with all Black Sheep beers, full of character derived from the best possible brewing materials, plenty of time and patience in the brewing and our very special Yorkshire Square fermenters.
In the past 12 months Black Sheep has become a multi-award winning brewery where it has secured the following accolades:
The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) Beer Champion 2017
World Beer Awards – Choc & Orange Stout – Gold Award
World Beer Awards – Riggwelter – Gold Award
World Beer Awards – Black Sheep Ale – Silver Award
World Beer Awards – My Generation – Bronze Award