Guild members are invited to the first UK tasting of a new American craft beer range launching in the UK this month – Hardywood Park Craft Brewery, from Richmond, Virginia at 6.30pm on Thursday 29th June at BrewDog Soho (21 Poland Street, London, W1F 8QG) at which the founders/brewers of Hardywood, Eric McKay and Patrick Murtaugh will be present as well as the Governor of Virginia, Terry McAuliffe (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terry_McAuliffe), who is an ardent beer fan and has his own Kegorator in the state mansion! It is an informal, ‘meet the brewers’ style event and we do hope you’ll be able to join us. More details about the launch below:
Award-winning American craft brewer Hardywood Park Craft Brewery, from Richmond, Virginia, is launching in the UK for the first time with a three-strong range of authentic, hand-crafted, high quality beers, comprising:
Hardywood Singel 6.2%ABV – Belgian Abbey-Style Blond Ale
Pouring a sunshine golden colour, tropical fruity esters are perfectly balanced with spicy hop aromatics and a veil of Belgian yeast to give a delicate body and mellow dry finish. Hardywood Singel is a classic Belgian style, inspired by the rich history of the Trappist brewers of western Europe. Pairs well with seafood, chicken and cheeses like Edam, Gouda and Brie.
Hardywood Pils 5.2% ABV – German-Style Pilsner
Hand-crafted with only the finest European pilsner malt and German noble hops, Hardywood Pils is the quintessential lager beer in its purest form, brewed in strict accordance with the Reinheitsgebot Law. It offers a crisp, clean and incomparable quaffability that refreshes the palate and satiates the soul! Pair with sausage, sushi, smoked fish, Asian inspired dishes or cheddar cheese.
Hardywood VIPA 5.2% ABV – Virgindia Pale Ale
This Virginia India Pale Ale, or Virgindia Pale Ale, is crafted from locally sourced ingredients and offers an alluring tropical aroma and refreshingly delicate body with a bright, juicy finish. Heirloom Virginia barley rounds out the malt bill and balances perfectly with citrusy Virginia hops to give a refreshing and flavourful beer suitable for the humid days of summer or cool winter evenings. Pair with roast chicken, pork, grilled fish or citrus salads.
Eric McKay, Co-Founder, at Hardywood Park Craft Brewery, comments: “The UK has tremendous historical relevance in terms of beer culture and a dynamic and exciting craft beer scene that appeals to us. We are encouraged by the trend towards drinking craft beer from smaller breweries and the continued appetite for American craft beer in the UK*.
Patrick Murtaugh, Co-Founder, adds: “Our range offers an authentic, high quality, full flavoured taste of Virginia that we believe UK drinkers will appreciate and with the UK craft beer market in the ascendancy there is plenty of scope for new kids on the block, especially those, like us, that produce excellent quality beer, brewed with local ingredients, renewable energy and a whole load of passion! The UK beer drinker craves discovery. Stocking Hardywood answers consumer demand for new, different and adventurous American craft beers,” he adds.
The American Craft Beer Company Founder, Ed Firth, says: “Craft beers, and specifically US craft beers offer the most excitement to consumers and retailers. Hardywood Park Craft Brewery has an impressive beer pedigree and, when you weave this together with their great story, then we are sure to have a range of beers that consumers are looking for. We are thrilled to be working with Hardywood Park Craft Brewery and their beers are simply exceptional.”
The distinctive packaging features the iconic Virginia oak tree on the label and ties in with the name ‘Hardywood’. It is also a symbol for the brewery’s passion for everything local.
Hardywood Park will be imported and distributed in the UK by the American Craft Beer Co. All three beers will be available in 24 x 355ml bottles and 30litre kegs from the end of June.
www.americancraftbeercompany.co.uk
*American craft beer exports to the UK grew by 4.4% in 2016, according to the Brewers Association.
Background and Notes
Hardywood Park Craft Brewery was named after a sheep station in New South Wales, Australia. Two life-long friend Eric McKay (for study) and Patrick Murtaugh (for travel) met up at the sheep farm in 2001 and were inspired by their host, David Crawford’s, delicious home-brewed amber ale. The degree of flavour and complexity was enlightening and since then they have devoted themselves to brewing excellence and introducing people to the joy of authentic, hand-crafted beer.
The Brewery was founded in 2011 by Eric and Patrick since when Hardywood beers have earned international acclaim with medals at the World Beer Cup, Great American Beer Festival and a rare 100 rating by BeerAdvocate magazine.
Hardywood is dedicated to minimising environmental impact. Power is sourced through renewable energy and recycled packaging and sustainable materials are used whenever possible.
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Issued on behalf of Hardywood Park Craft Brewery, 2408-2410 Ownby Lane, Richmond, VA 23220.
For further press information, or if you are able to attend the laundh, please contact Lotte Peplow: lotte@peplowpr.com. Tel: 07973 698 414