Thames Water to release a beer

Utility company Thames Water has partnered with Moncada Brewery in North West London to release a beer in aid of World Water Day.

Thames Water’s beer, a London pale ale called HOPS₂O, is one of around 250 small batch brews released as part of social enterprise Brewgooder’s global gathering campaign.

The limited-edition beer will raise money for over 130 clean water projects in Malawi.

Grant Edwards, who works as a training manager in Swindon for the water company, won the internal competition to name the beer after over 300 entries were submitted for consideration.

The beer will go on sale on 20 March and will help to fund schemes including well rehabilitations and the creation of new boreholes and sanitation systems.

Edwards commented: “Our beer needed a name that’s short and snappy – and that you could picture a punter in a pub asking for. It also needed a strong reference to our tap water and be understood by everyone, and I love that our label design gives a huge nod to the iconic River Thames.

“It’s great to be part of this worldwide campaign knowing all profits will be making a difference in Malawi. We’re also reminding those who are out enjoying a pint to stay hydrated by drinking a glass of our world class tap water.”

The bottle design takes inspiration from the River Thames and will be available in pubs across the capital as well as those further afield, including Reading’s Ale House and BrewDog bars. Moncada’s tap room bar in Dollis Hill and specialist bottleshops will also stock the brew.

Nigel Tarn, Moncada Brewery manager, added: “I couldn’t think of a better brewing partner than Thames Water. Water is often overlooked as an ingredient in the brewing process, gaining less attention than the malt or hops, and yet it is paramount in developing the character and taste of the beer. We’re lucky here to have quality water in such abundance, when in countries such as Malawi fresh drinking water is dangerously unavailable.”

LVMH-owned Islay distillery Ardbeg also announced it was also taking part in the project with the release of a beer called The Shortie Smoky Porter. 

Ardbeg joined forces with Williams Bros. Brewing, based in Alloa, Clackmannanshire, and the same peated malt used in Ardbeg’s 10-year-old whisky is used to brew the beer.