At a “meet the brewer” evening held at Lancaster’s Green Ayre pub, sales manager for Hawkshead &mdash Anne Gallagher, reported that the lakeland brewery had just witnessed “the busiest sales week ever.r” She also announced the launch of Hawkshead’s latest addition to the portfolio, the 4.5% abv Organic Oatmeal Stout.
Speaking to CAMRA members and others, Anne showed just why many regional and micro brewers are generating a positive message at a time of gloom in other areas of the trade. “Pubs find that a good selection of real ales is what their customers are demanding,r” and she gave an example of one “keg onlyr” pub that had been forced to stock cask ales in order to survive.
Asked why Hawkshead was visiting a Wetherspoon’s outlet, Anne said: “We like the idea of multiple handpulls and the variety of ales on offer here. Customers have real choice, and there is often a range of beer styles available too.r” (0n the night in question, in addition to the Hawkshead beers and the house beers, the Green Ayre was offering the delectable B&T Black Dragon mild.)
Green Ayre manager, Stuart Blackburn, who was responsible for arranging the visit, said: “Hawkshead make great beers that go down really well with our customers. We sell ales of all types here, but in our experience regional and local brews are the best.r”
On the evening of the visit, Hawkshead Bitter (the brewery’s best seller), Lakeland Gold and Brodie’s Prime were available, and all on excellent form. Anne talked about the portfolio, which now includes the 4.1% Ulverston Pale Ale (UPA) and the cask Lakeland Lager, distributed literature about the firm, and answered questions.
It was a thoroughly enjoyable evening, and our thanks go to Stuart Blackburn for organising it, and to Anne Gallagher for her expertise, humour and charm.