- South London craft brewery Orbit Beers have released their 2022 Christmas ‘Kölsch’ – Jolly Saint Nico 4.8% abv.
- A limited, festive edition of Orbit’s multi-award-winning flagship Köln Lager Nico, with the addition of winter spices.
- A lightly carbonated beer to pair perfectly with Christmas dinner, and the ideal stocking filler for craft beer fans.
London, October 2022: Jolly Saint Nico is an annual addition to Orbit Beers’ White Label Series range.
Produced in small amounts, white-label records are distributed by labels to DJs and radio stations to promote new artists and test the listeners’ reactions to their tracks. Orbit Beers’ White Label Series is an ever-growing collection of one-off releases that explore the innovative, experimental side of their brewing. From Hefeweizens and Lentebocks, to Tzatziki Sours, and Barley Wines, this White Label Series beer is for Christmas, and Christmas only!
In search of a lighter Christmas beer option, the team at Orbit Beers decided to put a festive spin on their multi-award-winning Köln Lager – Nico – named after musician Christa Päffgen under her singing alias Nico, who hailed from Cologne (the city of Kölsch).
Nico offers a delicate balance of malt and hops that is synonymous with the Kölsch style, and a soft bitterness with a crisp, thirst-quenching, dry finish. As a lightly carbonated Kölsch-style lager, traditionally brewed with ale yeast, the complex fruity, malty flavours lend themselves to the addition of well-balanced, festive spices.
Jolly Saint Nico pours pale golden with a fragrant, herbal hop aroma, lemon citrus, and seasonal clove. Light on the palate, a touch of bready maltiness, assertive hop character, and warming flavours of nutmeg, cinnamon, and allspice.
The light carbonation and dry, crisp finish make it the perfect beer to pair with your Christmas dinner. The subtle spices add a moreish, festive flavour to accompany cheese boards and mince pies over the festive season.
| Appearance: | Golden straw/pale |
| Aroma: | Fragrant herbal hop aroma with a touch of citrus and winter spices. |
| Taste: | Light clean, smooth, and dry with a crisp hoppy bitterness. A touch of bready maltiness, assertive hop character, and warming winter spices from the nutmeg, cinnamon, and allspice. |
| ABV: | 4.8% |
| Malts | Lager Malt, Dextrin. |
| Hops: | Challenger, Tettnanger. |
| Availability: | 33CL glass bottles, 30L kegs, 30L key kegs. |
| Food Pairings: | Mince pies, comté, roast turkey, pork crackling, roasted chestnuts. |
Orbit Beers bring a modern approach to European traditions. Taking classic styles and making them their own, with elements of finesse and drinkability.
Orbit Beers’ Nico Awards:
- Great taste* 2021
- SIBA regional gold award for best premium craft keg lager 2022 (London & South East)
- SIBA national silver award for best premium craft keg lager 2022.
Unlike other lager styles, Kölsch is often considered a hybrid between a lager and an ale. This is because it is cold-conditioned, as a lager would be, but it is actually fermented using ale yeast. There are over 20 breweries in Cologne (Köln) producing Kölsch, and to protect their brewing heritage, there is a law in place that states your beer cannot be called a ‘Kölsch’ unless it’s brewed within the Cologne metropolitan area.
That’s why Orbit’s flagship beer Nico is called a Köln Lager rather than a Kölsch (despite being brewed with a Kölsch yeast).
Where to buy
Jolly Saint Nico and Nico are available in 330ml Vichy bottles from Orbit Beers online store and various independent bottle shops such as Clapton Craft. They can also be found on draft in various pubs, bars, and restaurants supplied direct or via wholesale.
Orbit Beers: Case of 12 – £31.50, case of 24 – £59.50
https://orbitbeers.shop/products/jolly-saint-nico
https://orbitbeers.shop/collections/orbit-beers-full-range/products/orbit-nico-koln-lager
Clapton Craft:
https://store.claptoncraft.co.uk/collections/lager/products/orbit-nico-koln-lager
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Website: http://www.orbitbeers.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/orbitbeers/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/OrbitBeers
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OrbitBeers/
For all media enquiries, images, and samples requests please contact:
Contact: Rachel@orbitbeers.com
Notes to Editors
About Orbit Beers:
Orbit Brewery and Taproom: 225 & 228 Fielding St, London SE17 3HD
Closest Stations: Elephant and Castle, Kennington, Oval.
Established in South London in 2014, Orbit Beers are deeply rooted in European brewing traditions with a modern approach. They take classic styles and make them their own, with an eye for finesse and drinkability.
They love the incredible balance of German beers and the complexity of flavours that Belgian yeasts produce. They love hops, the spicy elegance of classic European ones, the zesty aromas of New Zealand varieties, and the fruity extremes of their American counterparts.
Orbit’s work is inspired by the ethos of their favourite record labels, who hold music and art above all else. Likewise, Orbit Beers accept no compromises when it comes to making their beer.
History of Orbit
In 2012, Orbit Beers Founder, Robert (or ‘Orbit’ as he is otherwise known), set off on a journey in his campervan (named Brian). His mission was clear: to discover beer in the land of whisky!
This expedition took him (and Brian) to every single brewery in his native Scotland, from the northernmost island in Shetland to the Outer Hebrides, the Scottish Borders and even his hometown of Dundee. The result was an overwhelming appreciation for traditional, European beer styles, balanced & complex flavours, and simple ingredients. That, and a burning desire to return to London and create Orbit Beers.
Back in the days when Robert was nicknamed Orbit, one of his earliest memories is his sister’s collection of vinyl records. In particular, the distinctive designs of the spindle adaptors, stacked above the turntable, ready to play.
Robert’s lifelong love of vinyl and independent labels has always been at the heart of Orbit Beers, with the spindle adaptor forming the Orbit Beers logo and quality music influencing their brews. From the ‘White Label Series’ of experimental beers to the core range named with musical influence; Nico (of the Velvet Underground), Ivo (Ivo Watts-Russel, Founder of 4ad records), Peel (John Peel), and Dead Wax (Run-out wax on vinyl records).
Having moved into our double railway arch in Walworth, South London in 2014, all their beers have been brewed and packaged on-site, which has now expanded into the arches next door to include the brewery taproom.
Press release from Orbit Beers.
For all media enquiries, images, and samples requests please contact:
Contact: Rachel@orbitbeers.com.