London Brewery Orbit Beers Celebrate a Decade of Brewing in July
- Orbit Beers is celebrating its tenth birthday in July at the brewery and taproom in Walworth, South London.
- The Brewery will host a series of special events alongside new beer releases to commemorate their 10th anniversary.
- Expect two birthday beer releases – Orbit’s barrel-aged Nico – Damson Blend Cuvée de
Cologne 2024, and the return of the Altbier Neu (last brewed in 2017) along with plenty of specials from the Orbit archives.
June 2024: On Saturday 13th July 2024, pioneers of the London craft beer scene Orbit Beers celebrate their 10th Birthday at their brewery and taproom in Walworth, South London. Established in 2014, Orbit Beers has garnered a devoted following by putting a modern spin on classic European beer styles, with an unwavering commitment to finesse and drinkability.
From their award-winning Kölsch-style lager Nico to the cult classic of the beer world Tzatziki Sour,
Orbit Beers have spent the last decade honing their craft and championing the unsung heroes of European brewing culture. With their 1000th brew approaching this summer as well as their 100th White Label Series special. They have plenty to celebrate!
The Events:
The brewery is pulling out all the stops for a week-long celebration beginning on July 10th at their Walworth brewery and taproom:
- Wednesday, 10th July: ‘Neu’ Returns After 7 Years: The re-release of Neu Altbier (last brewed in 2017) kicks off the festivities as the third beer ever produced by Orbit returns (back by popular demand). A nod to the early days of Orbit Beers and a toast to their future. They’ll also have the Beer & Burger deal on as usual (£12) with resident chefs Cue Point LDN, and will be showing the men’s European Championship semi-final.
- Thursday, 11th July: Birthday Barrel-Aged Evening: The launch of the BA Damson Blend: Cuvée de Cologne 2024 alongside rare barrel-aged beers from the archives such as 2022 Barrel-Aged Lentebock and BA Barley Wine, plus the 2024 BA Keeping Porter collaboration with Anspach & Hobday.
- Friday, 12th July: A Big Cheers to 10 Years: Customers will get 10% off beers until 9pm with a “Bring Your Own Vinyl” party to thank their regulars for all their support over the years.
- Saturday, 13th July: THE BIG PARTY: Join the Orbit team from midday for the big birthday celebration. They’ll have the Cue Point LDN chefs cooking some BBQ specials in the yard, Orbit DJs on the decks throughout the day, and the full line-up of birthday specials on tap. It’s going to be an unforgettable day of great food, great music, and great beer.
- Friday, 19th July: Nico/Neu night: A Köln vs Düsseldorf Drinking Experience: Blending Kölsch and Altbier traditions with a wooden pin of Nico on the bar, (ticketed event). If you’ve been to one of Orbit Beers’ Nico Nights before, you’ll know it’s all about a celebration of Cologne drinking culture and Kölsch! For this special event, they’re introducing Neu into the mix and incorporating Düsseldorf drinking culture and their Altbier Neu for one night only.
- You can find the birthday beers on at selected stockists including Mother Kellys, The Queen’s Head, Kill The Cat, and Clapton Craft stores throughout July. We’ll also be hosting a Nico Night on the road on 5th July at Kill The Cat, Spitalfields from 6pm.
“We are so happy to be celebrating our 10th year in the same site under the railway arches in Walworth that we started up in back in 2014, and we want to celebrate with the community that have supported us throughout. Our home in Walworth has witnessed Orbit’s steady, organic growth from one arch to two, and now four. And we’ve no plans to go anywhere. We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to all who have been part of the Orbit Beers journey. Your support, enthusiasm, and love for our beer have made these ten years a true joy for me and the team. We look forward to raising a glass with you at our birthday events and embarking on the next chapter of our brewing adventure together.
Robert Middleton, Founder of Orbit Beers.
To book a table at the taproom for any of the events, visit: http://www.orbitbeers.com/bookings/
Eventbrite tickets available for Nico/Neu Night: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/niconeu-night-acologne-vs-dusseldorf-drinking-experience-in-london-tickets-920067104477?
Orbit Brewery and Taproom: 225 & 228 Fielding St, London SE17 3HD Closest Stations: Elephant and Castle, Kennington.
The Beers
Orbit Beers bring a modern approach to European traditions. Taking classic styles and making them their own, with an eye for finesse and drinkability. Three special beers will headline the anniversary:
Neu – Altbier 4.7%
The Altbier Neu was the third beer Orbit Beers brewed back in January 2014! Named after the 1970s Krautrock band Neu from Düsseldorf, the beer is back by popular demand in 2024 and is making an appearance for their 10th birthday this summer.
Altbier originates from Düsseldorf, making it a fitting rival and neighbour to Orbit’s Kölsch-style beer, Nico.
Neu pours a deep amber colour with beautiful reddish hues. It offers a strong malt aroma, nutty and slightly toasty, with ester notes from the yeast. On the palate, expect bready malt flavours with a touch of sweetness and a hint of spice from the Pilgrim and Tettnang hops. It’s full-bodied yet dry, with a long-lasting bitterness.
Damson Blend: Cuvée de Cologne 2024 -6.8%
A brewer’s choice blend of complex, oak barrel-aged Nico on damsons, this super limited release is an annual treat among Orbit drinkers!
Every year, Orbit Brewers barrel age a small portion of Nico in a solera system, allowing it to ferment with wild yeasts and specially selected strains of Brettanomyces. Freshly fermented Nico is added to the barrels atop a remnant of the previous year’s barrel-aged Nico, creating a unique and evolving brew that retains a connection to its base beer, Nico, and past releases of Cuvée de Cologne.
For the 2024 blend, organic English damsons were added during the ageing process. Expect oaky vanilla and fruity aroma with floral notes, a touch of toasted hay, and a lemon sherbet funk. Warm, bready malt flavours with more vanilla and a jammy sweetness from the Damson plums, balanced with restrained bitterness, delicate acidity, and a champagne-like dry finish.
Nico – Köln Lager 4.8%
Orbit’s award-winning Nico Köln Lager is typical of a Cologne Kölsch and is 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, thirstquenching, dry finish. Look for green apple and pear drop notes from the distinctive Kölsch yeast.
Awards: Great taste* 2021, SIBA regional gold award for best premium craft keg lager 2022, SIBA national silver award for best premium craft keg lager 2022.
To accompany the birthday celebrations, Orbit Beers will be releasing a 10th Birthday Beer Box, available exclusively on their webshop. RRP £40 plus delivery (free delivery over £80).
This will include:
- 4 x Nico Köln Lager
- 4x Damson Blend: Cuvée de Cologne 2024
- 4x Neu Altbier
Released & live on the web shop on 6th July 2024: https://orbitbeers.com/products/mixed-case-nico-birthday-box
– Ends –
We’ll be offering brewery tours to press in the lead-up to the birthday celebrations, so please do get in touch if you would like to visit us to celebrate the birthday or have a look around and chat with the team. Rachel@orbitbeers.com
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 sample requests please contact: Rachel@orbitbeers.com Images are available to download here.
Notes to Editors
About Orbit Beers:
Orbit Brewery and Taproom: 225 & 228 Fielding St, London SE17 3HD Closest Stations: Elephant and Castle, Kennington, Oval.
Ethos
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.
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, winning multiple awards for their core range and famous Tzatziki Sour.
Story
In 2012, Orbit Beers Founder Robert got in his campervan and set off on a journey to visit every single brewery in his native Scotland. It took him from the northernmost island in Shetland to the Outer Hebrides, the Scottish Borders and even his hometown of Dundee.
On a trip to discover great beer, he also discovered great people! And realised that the brewing industry was home to a wonderfully warm and passionate community that he wanted to be a part of.
With an overwhelming desire to start up a brewery of his own, Robert headed back home to South London to find a team of like-minded people who shared his enthusiasm for beer, brewing, and music. Bringing those elements together under the railway arches in Walworth, Orbit Beers was born in 2014 and began to build its now award-winning portfolio of beers.
Team
Brought together by our passion for good beer, we’re a team of music lovers, vinyl collectors, DJs, and musicians with decades of experience in the brewing industry between us.
We moved into our double railway arch in the heart of Walworth, South London in 2014, and since then, all our beers have been brewed and packaged on-site.
For all media enquiries, images, and sample requests please contact: Rachel@orbitbeers.com
Third-party news items that are posted on the Guild website’s news section come from press releases received by the Guild. These press releases are posted as they have been received and their publication on the Guild website is intended as an informational service provided to our members and website visitors. As such, the publication of a story from a third-party source is neither an endorsement of the content, nor its sender, by the Guild. For enquiries on any news item, please use the contact details that can be found at the bottom of each post.