Yorkshire’s championship Acorn Brewery is marking the return of its founder with the rollout of a six-strong ‘Reboot Series’ to herald a new lease of life.
The series launches as Dave Hughes again takes the helm at the nationally acclaimed Barnsley brewery. Last year a phased sale was agreed with Manchester-based Sonas Capital, allowing co-owner Christy Hughes to step down immediately as he continued in a consultancy role for a short transition period.
Now Sonas – a business development company – has relinquished all interest, handing back control of the 25-barrel cask ale plant to the couple as sole directors and opening a fresh chapter in its multi-award-winning story.
Dave Hughes said: “Born in 2003 as a humble 10-barrel plant in Wombwell, Acorn became successful in a highly challenging business environment. Now, we are set to steer the brewery once again with pride, determination, and innovation to assure our valued suppliers, treasured trade customers, and loyal beer fans that Acorn goes forward offering the best quality cask ales and first-class service.
“While the Reboot Series brings a touch of nostalgia to revisit brews from our early days, we also promise exciting and innovative new rollouts to meet the needs of a keenly competitive market. We look forward to working with long-serving brewer Steve Bunting and the team again and thank them for their support.”
He also thanked business advisor Brian McCann, director of Shareholder Strategies Ltd, Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, for assistance on the brewery sale and return to ownership. “Christy and I greatly appreciated the support of Brian in our return,” he said.
The first in the by-monthly Reboot Series brings Legend (4.1%abv) – rich red ale from 2005 – to bring in the New Year, followed by a new take on the 7 Seas (4.5%abv) from 2014 to be brewed in the red rye style. In July Sun Storm (4.5%abv) arrives, a summer golden ale originally from 2008 while Christmas 2025 welcomes Noel (4.5%abv) ruby Christmas pudding ale, well-received when first brewed in 2003.
Under Acorn’s motto of ‘Tradition with Innovation’, new brews will include Egg Cracker (4.1%abv) vanilla & white Chocolate stout for Easter and a pale, well-hopped, 2 Little Ducks (3.4%abv) to toast Acorn’s 22 years.
Across the years Acorn has won many top accolades for its six-strong core range, including flagship Barnsley Bitter, a traditional Yorkshire bitter, and the much-revered Old Moor Porter.* Today Acorn has a capacity of 170 brewers-barrels (278 hectolitres or nearly 49,000 pints) and supplies cask-conditioned ale directly to hundreds of pubs and clubs throughout the North and Midlands with sales further afield via wholesalers and pub companies. The core business remains cask ale while bottled and craft keg beers are also supplied to supermarkets and bottle shops.
Notes to editors:
Barnsley Bitter (3.8%abv) – Acorn’s first brew married the yeast strain used by the original Barnsley Brewery of the 19th century with Maris Otter malt and English hops and has frequently been a finalist in the Camra (Campaign for Real Ale) Champion Beer of Britain (CoB) competition at the annual Great British Beer Festival and scooped a silver award. Last year Barnsley Bitter was hailed Overall Champion at the SIBA (Society of Independent Brewers and Associates) North Beer Competition.
Old Moor Porter (4.4%abv) was a pioneer in the revival of this style. A splendidly full-bodied dark brown beer there’s chocolate on the nose and then hints of liquorice, coffee, and caramel on the tastebuds from crystal, black and chocolate malts joining with a Maris Otter malt backbone. English Challenger hops deliver a teasing hoppy bitterness before a long and rewardingly mellow finish. It has scooped brewing accolades a-plenty, including SIBA (Society of Independent Brewers) National Champion.
Acorn Gorlovka Imperial Stout (6%abv) – named for Barnsley’s Ukrainian twin town is full-bodied stout, rich in roast malts and dark fruits with chocolate and coffee notes delivered in both the aroma and taste. Challenger hops add a bitter spiciness and dry finish to the fruity aftertaste. At the National Winter Ales Festival 2010, it claimed gold for its style and took the festival’s bronze accolade.
Barnsley Gold (4.3%abv) – this award-winning golden beer has good bitterness levels, with a fresh citrus and hop aroma. Hoppy throughout with a clean, dry finish. A CAMRA Champion Beer of Britain Finalist in 2004.
Yorkshire Pride (3.7%abv) – is a straw-coloured session golden ale, well balanced with creamy malt and good bitterness.
Acorn Blonde (4.0%abv) – well-balanced pale ale with fruity, caramel notes and a crisp finish.
For further media information and images please contact: Steve Hobman, Rhino Public Relations: 07751 578605. Email: stevehobman@rhinopr.co.uk
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