Fuller’s revives forgotten beer style

Latest in the Past Masters range recreates Old Burton Extra from an authentic 1930s recipe

 London’s only remaining traditional family brewer Fuller’s has once again delved into its rich history of brewing in the capital to produce a third beer in their highly-acclaimed Past Masters range of historic ales.

Past Masters Old Burton Extra has been brewed by Fuller’s master brewers to a recipe that dates back to Thursday, September 10^th 1931, which was found in Fuller’s brewbook. Every recipe of every beer ever brewed at the Griffin Brewery in Chiswick has been recorded in meticulous details in this bible of brewing, and in such detail that even the temperature was noted at 13°C at 4 a.m. that morning.

Fuller’s Head Brewer, John Keeling, said of his latest, long-lost beer; “Past Masters Old Burton Extra is a misunderstood style of beer, which actually disappeared in the early part of last century.”

“In the 80’s some breweries created something called Burton Ale, but this was far from the original style and recipe in our handwritten brewbook.”

Included in the original recipe, which was recreated for Old Burton Extra, are Best Pale Ale malt, Crystal malt, maize and a special brewing syrup. The hops used were English Fuggles and Goldings both in the copper and for dry hopping.

“We are so lucky to have our all of these fantastic recipes written down by my brewing predecessors, and we keep the ingredients and processes to follow the recipe as closely as possible – it really is a glimpse into our unique brewing history.

“I’ve really enjoyed looking back at my predecessors’ work to see how we can bring the recipes to life,” continues John, “We’re already thinking about the next brew, but as there’s a stack of brewbooks to search through who knows what year the next one will be from.”

Past Masters Old Burton Extra is 7.3% ABV and will be on limited release from early September in selected Sainsbury’s outlets, Fuller’s Brewery Shop in Chiswick and from the Fuller’s online store at £4.50 per 500ml bottle – www.fullers.co.uk/breweryshop.

ENDS

For further information contact Fuller’s Press Office:

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