INDEPENDENT brewery Forest Road has offered drinkers the chance to help the NHS, just by drinking beer.
The East London brewery has promised to donate £1 to the National Health Service for every bottle sold of their latest brew, called Stay HOME Lager, during the COVID-19 lockdown.
Brewery owner Pete Brown says the idea came to him when he was delivering to Homerton University Hospital last week. “We dropped off 650 beers on Tuesday to say thank you for the amazing efforts of the staff there, and it made me think that we should do more and on a bigger level.
“So I scrambled round, getting everyone involved in the brewing and packaging of our beers onboard. It’s really important right now to show our support for NHS staff. They’re Britain’s national heroes.”
The beer is an easy-drinking 3.9 percent pale lager, made in conjunction with North-Eastern brewery Camerons, where Forest Road’s beer is currently made.
It’s a collaboration brew that blends POSH (Forest Road’s 4.1 per cent lager) and Cameron’s own lager. It’s made with lager malt, wheat and a blend of elegant European and British hops – Saaz, Perle and Challenger – giving it a classic, easygoing flavour.
“We wanted to make something that would appeal to beer lovers and casual drinkers alike,” says Brown. “That way we can ensure that we can donate as much as possible to the NHS.”
15,000 bottles have been made, meaning Forest Road expects to donate £15,000 to Britain’s hardworking NHS staff. “I know it’s not a lot by NHS standards, but it’s great to think we’re doing something to help during this crazy situation,” says Brown. If it’s popular, he says, it’s likely that more will be made.
“At a time like this it’s easy to feel helpless, but there are little ways in which each of us can do something to help the battle against COVID-19. Two crucial ways: stay at home and drink this beer!”
Forest Road, whose taproom can be found in Netil Road, E8, is currently building a new brewery in south London. It’s an exciting time for a company that has been proudly independent since 2015.
“We’re committed to giving British drinkers the best independently-brewed beer that there is,” says Brown, who began his brewing career in his native USA before working for Camden Town.
“This crisis has brought out the best in this country and I can promise drinkers that, when it’s over and we’re in our new brewery, we’re going to reward them with some amazing beer.”
The beer will be available the week starting April 6 online from both Forest Road’s webshop, and Cameron’s webshop.
Forest Road are also currently seeking a national distribution partner.
For more details, contact Forest Road at yo@forestroad.co.uk.
www.forestroad.co.uk