Drygate Brewing Co. – the UK’s first experiential craft brewery – has collaborated with Scotland’s annual folk, roots and world music festival, Celtic Connections, to create a limited edition New Zealand Pale Ale (NZPA) dubbed ‘Festival Brew’.
Glasgow based Drygate Brewing Co. has been inspired by a spirit of collaboration since opening its doors to the public in May 2014.
Keen to team up on a special project to honour VisitScotland’s Year of Food and Drink 2015, Celtic Connections organisers identified Drygate Brewing Co. as another Glasgow native who shared their ethos of open-minded innovation and exploration.
Each year Celtic Connections hosts artists from a chosen showcase Scotland international partner; for 2015 the chosen country is New Zealand.
Donald Shaw, Artistic Director of Celtic Connections, comments:
“As a fellow Commonwealth country, New Zealand shares many cultural ties and similarities with Scotland – from landscape to folklore to gastronomy, and of course, music! Now in its 16th year, Showcase Scotland is the largest gathering of the international music community in Scotland.
“We felt it was important to commemorate Celtic Connections 2015 event with something fitting to both our chosen partner nation and VisitScotland’s Year of Food and Drink and so we’re delighted to be collaborating with the Drygate Brewing Co. to create that special brew for the visitors to the festival to try.”
Festival Brew is a limited edition 4.4% ABV Hoppy Pale Ale crafted with ‘Nelson Sauvin’ and ‘Green Bullet’ New Zealand Hops. Brewed in Glasgow, the beer aptly celebrates the musical and cultural connections between Scotland and New Zealand.
Colin Johnston of Drygate Brewing Co. commented:
“Glasgow’s Celtic Connections is now an integral part of the winter calendar and attracts artists from all over the world and from many different genres.
“The spirit of collaboration lives through music as it does through beer and so when Celtic Connections approached us to partner up on a festival beer we didn’t think twice.”
Festival Brew will be available exclusively during the festival at Glasgow’s Old Fruitmarket, The Festival Club at Glasgow School of Art, and the prestigious Royal Concert Halls venues. The beer is priced at £3.50 at Glasgow School of Art and £4.50 at The Old Fruitmarket & Royal Concert Concert Halls.
Bands will also be gifted exclusive bottles to commemorate their participation in Celtic Connections 2015 while stocks last.
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NOTES TO EDITORS
Drygate Brewing Co. is located at Wellpark, in Glasgow’s East End, 10 minutes’ walk from George Square.
Drygate’s core range including Outaspace Apple Ale, Bareface Lager and Gladeye are available for purchase in at Drygate, and from selected bars and Tesco stores across Scotland.
The Celtic Connections NZ IPA is a 4.4% Pale Ale and will be available in 500ml bottles and keg. It is a hoppy craft beer made with Nelson Sauvin and Green Bullet hops from New Zealand. Nelson Sauvin hops release fruity, tropical fruit flavours with a suggestion of lychee and mango recalling Sauvignon Blanc wine, which it gains its name from. Green Bullet is a bittering hop with a hint of spice.
The Drygate brewery consists of a 24 HL brew kit, capable of producing one million litres of craft beer annually. The Drygate Studio Kit has a capacity of 2.5 HL, capable of producing 1,000 HL of ‘DIY craft beer’ every year.
Celtic Connections is the largest annual winter music festival of its kind and the UK’s premier celebration of Celtic music. It is held annually in venues across Glasgow, and incorporates roots and world music, to celebrate Celtic music and its connections to cultures across the globe.
The Old Fruitmarket can be found at Candleriggs, Glasgow, Lanarkshire G1 1NQ.
The Festival Club will be held within The Art School venue at Glasgow School of Art, 167 Renfrew Street, Glasgow G3 6RQ.
Glasgow Royal Concert Hall is located at the head of Buchannan Street in Glasgow city centre at 2 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow G2 3NY.
Celtic Connections is part of Create Scotland – the public body that supports the arts, screen and creative industries across all parts of Scotland on behalf of everyone who lives, works or visits here.
The Year of Food and Drink 2015 is a Scottish Government initiative led in partnership by EventScotland, VisitScotland and Scotland Food & Drink. It is a chance to spotlight, celebrate and promote Scotland’s natural larder and quality produce to Scottish citizens and visitors.