Judi Dench samples namesake beer sparking calls for rebrew

A craft brewery in York was delighted to receive a picture of Dame Judi Dench sampling one of its beers – the Dame Judi Quench – prompting calls for the beer, which sold out in August, to be rebrewed.

Image: Brew York

York-based craft brewery and tap room, Brew York, posted an image of decorated English actress, Dame Judi Dench, enjoying a can of a double-dry hopped pale ale named in her honour.

The beer, abbreviated to the DDH, is a 5.7% ABV pale ale that was made in collaboration with fellow York beer bar and shop The House of Trembling Madness.

Speaking to the drinks business, managing director of Brew York, Wayne Smith, explained what had inspired the brew’s creation.

“We have a great relationship with The House of Trembling Madness in York. We were chatting to the bar manager Geo at a beer festival earlier in the year and decided to brew a beer together,” he said.

“Being two York based businesses, we wanted the name of the beer to reflect something famous form York, so one of the Trembling Madness team came up with the idea of Dame Judi Quench, which we loved.

“We launched the beer back in August, so it has unfortunately all sold out now. In fact the last case of cans was taken down to Dame Judi herself.

“The beer was a small batch, limited run, but given the renewed demand for the beer, we may need to invite Trembling Madness down to visit us again for a rebrew!”

Smith explained that his business partner, Lee Grabham, who is also the head brewer, once worked with Dench’s nephew, who is a regular at Brew York. He offered to take the cans to Dench, who now lives in Outwood, Surrey, for her to sample.

Dench is not the first famous figure to be immortalised in beer by the York brewer. Other celeb-inspired brews created by the business include Goose Willis, Rhubarbra Streisand, Simon Le Mon and Katy Berry.