US-inspired kegged beer and lager hit cask-dominant Woodforde’s

Woodforde’s has introduced a craft range named New World Brewing as well as an English lager to complement its traditional cask portfolio.

The beers, which have been inspired by American styles, have been recreated by the Norfolk-based brewery’s new head brewer Aaron Taubman, who formerly brewed in Warwickshire at Purity before it was taken over by private equity firm Breal, now known as Keystone.

Speaking to the drinks business, about the updates to the brewery’s line-up, Taubman said: “My journey as a brewer started in the USA, with unrivalled access to the incredible craft brewing scene over there. While I love cask ale and the styles that Britain is so famous for – I wanted to introduce something new, bold and exciting to Woodforde’s. A taste of the states and the flavours that kickstarted the craft revolution.”

Taubman explained that the New World Brewing range at Woodforde’s complements its core cask ale offering well rather than cannibalises it and helps ale fans broaden their repertoire since it gives customers “the chance to try something a little bit different”.

Describing his newest beers in the Woodforde’s stable, Taubman told db: “Both Tropical IPA and Hazy IPA are packed full of American hops that give them a real citrussy punch unlike anything we have offered before” and admitted: “The feedback we’ve received so far has been great and I’m looking forward to introducing the range to more customers nationwide”.

Taubman’s other newest creation for Woodforde’s comes in the form of an English lager, which he said was being brewed simply because “we really are spoilt for choice when it comes to the quality of ingredients grown here in the UK” and admitted that the brewery’s previous recipe for English lager was “already popular” so it made sense for Woodforde’s to “go one step further” and use local ingredients and “this country’s proud brewing heritage” to “bring something new” to beer fans.

He explained that Woodforde’s lager is “crisp, clean and refreshing” and ideal for “summer days in a beer garden” or perfect for sipping “while watching the Euros”.

Addressing the new iterations and how they could be perceived as a departure from the brewery’s traditional cask offering, Taubman insisted: “We are proud to fly the flag for Britain in our cask offering” but stated that other beers also needed to be upheld in Britain and added that “now is the time to do the same for lager too”.