Grown and Brewed in London: Borough Market Releases Limited Edition Seasonal Beer

Borough Market’s new limited edition sustainable seasonal beer will be an Earl Grey Saison – a zingy farmhouse style brewed with fresh English hops grown in the iconic Market Hall, and Earl Grey tea from Borough Market trader, Organic Life. Beers created from fresh hops can only be made once a year, making them one of the world’s most sought-after seasonal products. The 5.2% proof beer will be available from Borough Market and independent retailers across the UK.

The only beer in the UK to boast a genuine sense of Central London ‘terroir’, or sense of place, the Borough Market Earl Grey Saison, curated by expert nomadic brewer, Daniel Tapper of The Beak brewery, has been created to reflect Borough Market’s unique position at the heart of the capital. To underline the 1,000 year old market’s commitment to provenance, the Saison is brewed using a classic English hop variety known as Fuggles, historically grown by farmers in the South East. The hop bines are planted in the heart of Borough Market’s glass fronted Market Hall, and sustainably fertilised with a combination of recycled coffee grounds from traders, and rain water harvested from the market’s roof.

Saisons originated in Belgium where they were traditionally brewed by farmers during the early winter months using ingredients from that year’s harvest. Borough Market’s take on the beer style is brewed with a combination of oats, wheat, barley and rye, giving it a bright golden hue and a silky smooth mouthfeel. In keeping with the Saison’s harvest roots, the beer contains over a kilogram of fresh Fuggles hop flowers grown in the heart of Borough Market, which imbue the beer with flavours reminiscent of marmalade, mint and clove.

To give a unique twist, the beer has also been ‘cold brewed’ with over five kilograms of high quality loose leaf Earl Grey tea. This special blend is sourced from Sri Lanka by Borough Marker trader Organic Life and is infused with lemon and lime peel, giving the beer a distinctive citrusy tang.

The new beer is the third annual brew from Borough Market’s own hops, and has been produced in collaboration with Partizan Brewing, an acclaimed microbrewery close to Borough Market in Bermondsey, South East London. Most hops used in the beer industry are kiln dried within 24 hours to preserve them. By keeping the brewing process local, Borough Market could deliver the hops in their wet, fresh state within hours of harvesting; contributing to the beer’s authentic flavour.

A limited run of over 6,000 bottles has been produced, and will be available from Borough Market and distributed by Partizan to independent retailers throughout the UK, priced at £3.30. The Borough Market Earl Grey Saison will also be exclusively available on draught in the Market from The Globe Tavern.

Darren Henaghan, managing director, Borough Market said: “Borough Market is the curator of a diverse range of the best quality national and international produce – a place to discover the unique and rediscover the familiar. What better way to celebrate our position at the heart of London than with a seasonal beer grown with our own hops, flavoured with one of our expert trader’s tea and fertilised with left over coffee grounds! In effect, it’s essence of Borough Market in a glass. We hope our customers will enjoy raising a toast!”

Daniel Tapper, expert brewer, said: “As both a brewer and a food writer it has been an absolute honour to create a beer that not only displays genuine London terroir, but also showcases Borough Market’s unique position at the heart of our country’s food and drink scene. One of the best things about being a nomadic brewer is getting the opportunity to produce beers at some of the UK’s most exciting, forward-thinking breweries – and when it comes to making fresh, flavourful Saisons, few breweries are more respected than Partizan.”

Source: Borough Market

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