Brewery launches ‘Champagne beer’

A British brewing company has launched what it describes as a “Champagne-style” sparkling beer.

Savour’s “Champagne-style” beer

Savour Beer, based in Windsor, has teamed up with Bolney Wine Estate to brew a 10.5% abv Belgian-style golden ale using the méthode champenoise in a bid to  create a rich, clean taste and fizz of sparkling wines.

Savour Beer founder, Sandy Kirkpatrick, said the project had been driven by his “obsession” of getting the best tasting beer using only traditional methods and ingredients.

He said: “I wanted to create a fantastic tasting beer and also one that would alter people’s perceptions about beer.

“Too many people still have low expectations when it comes to beer in the UK and I feel that needs to change. The dominance of global lager brands has created some very deep rooted perceptions of what beer is. I wanted to show people that there is more to beer both in terms of taste and appreciation”.

Méthode champenoise is the traditional method used in the production of sparkling wines to remove the yeast after secondary fermentation.

Kirkpatrick added: “Having seen the fantastic work being done by the English sparkling wineries it was only natural to use their expertise in our sparkling beer. It was great when the team at Bolney fell in love with the idea and they have been instrumental in the success of the beer”.

The beer has been brewed using 100% British malted barley and three yeast strains having undergone a lengthy 100-day maturation period during which the beer was riddled and disgorged in the same way as Champagne.

Kirkpatrick describes the beer as having an “elegant, floral and spicy aroma” complemented by “a luxurious, rich body and effervescent finish”.

A limited run of 670 bottles have been produced which are on sale for £15, and can be found at London restaurants including The Ledbury, Chez Bruce and The Square restaurant in Mayfair.