Moorhouse’s is promising a spell of seasonal cheer with a range of ales from the ‘Pendle Witches’ stable.
Festive grist brew Ice Witch swoops in for a second year on general release to offer a lighter golden tipple to tackle those yuletide taste buds.
Brewed with pale Maris Otter malt and the much sought American Citra hop variety it displays characteristics of tropical fruits – mango, passion fruit and pineapple. A striking witch themed seasonal pump clip gives strong bar presence. Only 500 brewer’s barrels will be brewed due to the scarcity of the Citra hop.
But also, to meet the ever-increasing demand for festive ales, the innovative Lancashire brewer is also rebranding a sleigh-full of its blended ales for December; three golden tipples – Santa’s Special (4%abv), Snow Globe (4.4%abv) and Ebenezer Ale (4.8%abv) – together with amber ale Christmas Cauldron (4.2%abv).
Managing director David Grant said: “Ice Witch has been brewed for the festivities to offer a slightly tropical tasty alternative to the heavy, dark specials typical of the winter months. It’s good for social drinking and yet ideal to enjoy with richer foods.
“Also, to meet the ever growing thirst for Christmas brews, we are rebranding some of our Halloween blended specials to help publicans make the best of the December trade with beers they know will be popular. We make it clear they are blends of our award winning core brews. With striking fun pump-clips we expect them to go well, although publicans can revert to the normal clips for January – should they have any left.”
Moorhouse’s predicts another Christmas cracker following last year’s record sales as production is again ramped up to meet fast rising nationwide demand for its famous core ales; Premier Bitter, Pride of Pendle, Black Cat, Blond Witch and Pendle Witches Brew.
Last year some 500,000 pints were sold to yield a healthy uplift of eight-per-cent on sales for December 2012. There was outstanding growth of 55 per cent for special festive cask beers and 35 per cent for its bottle range. Ends/ Ref MHPR ICE Witch 2014
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Notes to editors:
Moorhouse’s brands pay tribute to the legend of the ill fated ‘witches’ of landmark Pendle Hill near Burnley who were tried and executed at Lancaster in 1612.
Several hundred free trade pubs throughout the North West and Yorkshire are supplied directly while leading national pub companies and wholesalers distribute across the UK.
Moorhouse’s has won more brewing awards than any other brewer of its size. Black Cat was voted Camra (Campaign for Real Ale) Champion Beer of Britain 2000 and won gold in class at the Brewing Industry International Awards 2011; Pride of Pendle claimed the Champion Cask Ale title at the BIIA 2004 and Premier Bitter was voted gold in class; Pendle Witches Brew was twice runner-up in the Camra annual contest and has received a silver medal at the BIIA. Blond Witch, the fastest growing brand, has collected awards from many Camra beer festivals since it launched six years ago.
For further media information contact: Steve Hobman, Rhino Public Relations: mobile 07751 578605/ 01829 250502/ email: shobman@rhinopr.freeserve.co.uk