Author: Laura Rangeley

Next up in our new series of natural print inspired cask only releases (you can read more about the development of this range here), we’d like to introduce you to Linden, a 4.1% pale ale single hopped with Most™ – our first time using this new and intriguing hop variety.

Most™ hops (pronounced “moss-t”) were developed in the UK by our hop suppliers Charles Faram, in collaboration with farmers in the Czech Republic, which is where the hops themselves are actually grown – the first variety from the Charles Faram Development Program to be grown outside of the UK. The word “Most” is Czech for bridge, so the name represents this ethos of working together and symbolises friendship and community in the aftermath of the UK’s decision to leave the European Union. Most™ is a sister variety of UK grown varieties Jester® and Olicana® and so shares some of their delectable characteristics.

Charles Faram describe this exciting new variety as a dual purpose hop, which can be used for aroma or bittering. We used it in whole cone form in our hopback, which we feel allows it to shine most brightly. Versatile and clean with a unique flavour profile, Farams add that Most™ has a more powerful aroma than what you might usually expect from a Czech-grown hop, described as boasting notes of strawberry and bubblegum alongside some tropical citrus and fresh tones.

Whilst the versatility of Most™ means it can be used across a wide range of beer styles, as it’s our first time using it we wanted to do what we think we do best – a classic, 4.1% pale ale which uses these gorgeous hops in isolation. The result is a fresh, grassy and eminently drinkable beer – aromatic and citrussy with abundant red fruit flavours, hints of sherbet and a gentle bitterness in the finish.

We reckon it’s a “Most” have on the bar!

We’re delighted to announce that we’ll be working with Ben’s Centre as our charity partners for 2025.

Ben’s Centre is a charity that aims to provide a safe space and an open hand to those who suffer through substance misuse and its associated barriers. Their day centre is based just a couple of miles from us on Wilkinson Street, Sheffield, which offers “a place of sanctuary for the vulnerable” such as those affected by homelessness, and they also operate a city centre outreach service. They offer an incredibly valuable service, non-judgemental and with careful and empathetic consideration of each individual’s circumstances – in their own words, “there’s no one type of person that we support at Ben’s Centre. Each individual has a different story. Often people like this are generalised into one group – homeless. In reality, they represent so much more. We see men and women, old and young. We have clients with families, and clients with no-one left. Clients who’ve been living rough for years and clients that have just found themselves in the wrong place at the wrong time. We have some clients needing fresh clothes, hot meals, and a bit of warm shelter and some clients that just stop by for a friendly chat and a mug of coffee with our staff. Without Ben’s Centre, all of these people struggling with dependency in Sheffield would have nowhere to go.”

We partner with a different local charity every year, and when Ben’s Centre approached us we were thrilled to be able to collaborate with them, helping to spread the word about the unique work they do, and raise some extra funds for them to continue helping people affected by addiction and homelessness.  As a brewery we recognise the potential issues surrounding alcohol, and the importance of promoting responsible drinking, so partnering with Ben’s Centre allows us an opportunity to broach this subject. You can read more about their decision to work with us here.

Look out for news of our exclusive cask only fundraising beer, Ben’s Bazaar, coming soon. 10p from each pint sold will be contributed towards Ben’s Centre, supporting them to provide acceptance, practical support and harm reduction for vulnerable people affected by addiction and associated issues like rough sleeping in Sheffield.

As well as the beer, we also hope to work with Ben’s Centre on other projects and fundraising campaigns throughout the year, so stay tuned for more information!

Head here to visit Ben’s Centre’s website, to find out more about the work they do and how you can support them, including how to make a donation.

We’ve created a new series of cask only beers, designed to be enjoyed whilst supporting your local pub, with artwork inspired by vintage botanical prints and nineteenth-century lithographs of the nature we find around us.

First up in this range is Fen Violet, a classic 4.3% pale ale hopped with Vic Secret and Columbus. Expect lovely aromatic qualities, with gentle herbal notes of marjoram in the background and tasty, fruity, tropical flavours up front. As with all our beers, it’s gluten free too. (And no fen violets were harmed in the making of this beer!)

We’ve taken inspiration from various sources for the designs of this series, including the gardens of Team Abbeydale and our favourite plants and flowers found within them, and a trip to Sheffield’s beautiful Botanical Gardens. It’s really important to us and integral to our identity that the artwork we produce is based on tangible reality and borne of true creativity. Each element has been meticulously hand drawn by our designer James Murphy, and in a nod to the historic lithographic plates which inspired the series, the year of release and number it comes in the range has been included in the background of the design. You will notice too that the colour palette chosen is a little more subtle and evocative of the natural elements shown in the artwork, when compared to some of our other ranges, which could be considered more graphic in style and use bolder, more accentuated tones – again in keeping with the inspiration.

An aesthetic of a time which has become timeless. Look out for these at the bar! (And to our trade customers, if you’d like a cask for your venue, please do get in touch!)

Cheers!