Winchester-based Upham Brewery has been selected to represent Hampshire at the forthcoming National Maris Otter 50th Anniversary Beer Festival. To mark the occasion, Upham is brewing a one-off birthday ale, Upham EPA, using Maris Otter barley malt.
Taking place in Norwich from 17 to 19 September, the festival will showcase 50 different beers brewed from Maris Otter and is the only beer festival to have all its beers brewed using Maris Otter. In all, Upham will be joined by brewers from 43 other counties of Britain and 6 countries from across the world who are each providing a birthday beer.
While less than 6% of British beer is produced with Maris Otter, it has a strong, lasting support from craft brewers and beer-lovers. Upham has long been an avid supporter of this barley malt with both Upham EPA and Tipster, one of Upham’s ever-popular staple ales, brewed using Maris Otter Pale Ale Malt.
Upham EPA will be a 4.2% ABV full-flavoured pale ale giving a floral, grassy and fruity aroma with hints of spice and a malty, bitter mouthfeel. It will be brewed using Maris Otter Pale Ale Malt, Crystal Malt and a combination of Fuggle, Challenger and Target English Hops.
Upham is currently the south of England’s fastest growing pub and brewery group, supplying over 450 stockists in both casks and bottles including leading pubs, hotels and local Majestic and Co-Op stores.
Hampshire is home to several Maris Otter growers and Upham Brewery collectively champions their produce and other suppliers from across the region. Just recently Upham’s Master Brewer, James Stephenson, joined local Maris Otter grower, David Poulton, on a Barley Walk of his Ovington Down Farm in nearby Alresford. David inherited the farm, along with his two sisters, upon the death of both parents, John and Molly, earlier this year. They had been farming at Ovington Down for 64 years. The family have fittingly decided to continue his father’s heritage of producing Maris Otter since it was first introduced in 1965.
Upham’s Master Brewer, James Stephenson, said: “As a brewery with a fast expanding customer base in a competitive market we require the very best ingredients to produce our premium ales week in week out. Maris Otter malt is consistently excellent, delivering a great depth of flavour and we are proud to champion it. We look forward to representing Hampshire with our specially brewed Upham EPA at this landmark 50th anniversary celebration.”
The festival is being run by grain merchants H Banham and Norfolk Brewhouse’s David Holliday. Mark Banham from H Banham, said: “As far as we know, the festival is the first birthday party ever to be held for a grain variety! Maris Otter’s track record is best bar none with nine of the most recent fourteen Champion Beers of Britain made with it. Quite a record for an ingredient and well worth celebrating!
“We’re delighted that Upham Brewery is supporting the birthday bash and are looking forward to trying Upham EPA.”
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Notes to Editors
Upham Brewery & Pub Group
The Upham Pub Group is one of the south of England’s fastest growing pub and brewery groups. Having officially launched its new brewery in May 2013, Upham already supplies over 450 stockists, including leading pubs, hotels and local Majestic and Co-op stores. The brewery also owns 13 pubs and inns across Hampshire, Berkshire, Sussex, Wiltshire and Dorset with plans to increase the portfolio.
Based at Stakes Farm in the heart of the South Downs, the brewery produces three staple beers which are all named after a racing theme following the heritage of the farm and are available in cask or bottles direct from the brewery or via distributors. They are: Punter, a 4% ABV malty ale; Tipster, a refreshing golden ale with a 3.6% ABV; and Stakes, a premium bitter which provides a kick with a 4.8% ABV. Upham also produces new seasonal ales throughout the year.
Upham’s core values reflect that of a traditional country pub with a focus on the community and being the heartbeat of the local area. No two Upham pubs are the same but each prides themselves on producing great tasting food, beers and a welcoming atmosphere.