River Cottage chef launches ale

Celebrity chef, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, and his team at River Cottage have launched a new English beer with Cornish brewery, Skinners.

Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall and Steve Skinner with the River Cottage EPA.

The English Pale Ale, named River Cottage EPA, has been brewed using hops grown in Hereford and malted barley from Restronguet Barton Farm in Cornwall.

Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, who founded the successful River Cottage TV series, cookery school and canteens, said: “By sourcing the best English hops – including the exceptional Cascade, recently produced for the first time by UK growers – and combining them with the finest Cornish malted barley, we’ve made a beer that’s high in complex aromatics, with floral, cedar and citrus notes, and a long bitter-sweet finish.”

River Cottage awarded Skinner’s the contract after speaking to a number of national ale producers before deciding on the Truro-based brewers.

Steve Skinner, who founded Skinner’s in 1997, said: “Our collaboration with River Cottage has encouraged us to rediscover the finest ingredients grown in our back garden.

“We are really proud to have created a perfectly balanced beer that goes down brilliantly with a well-sourced meal, or on its own as a refreshing pint.

“It’s a real honour to work with a company as loved and well-known as River Cottage and I am delighted to raise my (pint) glass as a nod to our English brewing heritage and a brilliant new business partnership.”

Gerry Wills, of CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) said: “The River Cottage EPA is a classic example of the brilliant brewing that Skinners are capable of.

“Not only have they created an exciting new ale, but they have also set the bar for innovative new partnerships.”

The River Cottage EPA is available nationwide in both cask and bottles.

For more information visit SkinnersBrewery.com or RiverCottage.net.