Raising a glass for News Shopper’s 50th birthday just got more interesting, with the launch of our very own beer.
What could be more appropriate for the golden anniversary of London’s oldest free newspaper than its own golden ale?
We have teamed up with the award-winning Caveman Brewery in Swanscombe to create Shopper Gold, which will go on sale in carefully selected pubs across south London and Kent later this month.
The first edition of News Shopper hit the streets on March 31, 1965, and 50 years to the day, a delegation from Shopper visited the Kent-based microbrewery to start the brewing process.
From the outside, you wouldn’t believe the George and Dragon pub in London Road is harbouring one of Kent’s top breweries in its cellar.
Caveman's James Hayward teaches Shopper editor Andrew Parkes about the Kent hops going into Shopper Gold.
But since 2012, head brewer James Hayward has been creating beers down there that have been impressing all that have tasted them.
And he had something special in store for us.
This isn’t just a label slapped on one of Caveman’s existing beers, oh no.
James has created News Shopper its very own brew using all-English ingredients and Kent-grown Goldings hops.
The ale is made to a unique recipe and should clock in at about a cool four per cent ABV.
In three weeks, this will be Shopper Gold
James explained: “We’re making a golden ale using all-English hops.
“Most of the hops are Goldings, which are grown in Kent.
“We’re using Maris Otter, a floor-malted barley, so it is malted in the traditional style and should give us some really intense malt flavours.
“And that’s balanced by some delicate Kent hops. Hopefully you’ll get a bit of honey and spice from the Goldings.”
Not ones to sit back and just watch, Shopper got hands-on with the hops and had a good look around the impressive brewery.
MORE FOOD AND DRINK:
News Shopper editor Andrew Parkes said: “What a great way to celebrate our 50th birthday, I can’t think of anything better.
“I’ve already got great memories of Caveman from when I was challenged to organise a piss up in a brewery within a week, but they’ve outshone themselves with this one.
“James is a top bloke and I’m sure he’ll do us proud with this ale, I can’t wait to get my hands on a pint.”
Caveman is brewing around 1,200 pints-worth of Shopper Gold which will be ready towards the middle of this month.
Negotiations are on-going with a select few pubs and micropubs across Shopperland for who gets the chance to stock it.
Keep checking newsshopper.co.uk in the coming weeks for that announcement.
Drop us a line at shopper50@london.newsquest.co.uk if you’d like to see Shopper Gold at your local.
Cheers!
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here