Sharp’s Brewing Co is bringing fresh new energy to the cask ale category with Guild’s Choice, a limited-edition brew for Cask Ale Week.
Jon Wide (left), Sharp’s technical brewing optimisation manager, with beer sommelier Ed Hughes
The beer has been created in a new way — by crowdsourcing the recipe’s building blocks from some of the most elite beer experts in the sector.
Conceived by Sharp’s beer sommelier Ed Hughes, himself a member of the Guild of Beer Sommeliers, the project began with a playful but purposeful pub quiz of cask ale favourites.
Ed asked the entire advisory board of the Guild to name their favourites across five pillars of cask enjoyment: all-time favourite cask ale, favourite hop, favourite pub food, favourite malt, and ideal cask ABV. Their responses were collated and translated into a single, limited-edition beer, Guild’s Choice — a genuine expression of industry collaboration that pays homage to classic British cask.
Brewed in collaboration with the Guild of Sommeliers at Cask Marque, Guild’s Choice is a traditional cask ale brewed at an accessible 4.2% ABV. It is a copper coloured, rich ale, crafted with a blend of Maris Otter, Munich, Caramalt, and wheat.
The malt-forward base delivers layers of biscuity sweetness, caramel, and a mellow honeyed warmth, that gives a full-bodied linger to the beer. Balanced by a vibrant hop pairing of Amarillo and Nelson Sauvin, drinkers can expect bright orange citrus aromas and a gentle tropical tang that lifts and complements the malt complexity.
Sharp’s technical brewing optimisation manager, Jon Wide, brewed the beer at the brewery’s dedicated small scale (five-barrel) pilot plant, faithfully following the feedback, while weaving in his own subtle twist. The result honours the timeless balance of classic cask ales with a harmonious pint that celebrates tradition while showcasing two of the Guild’s favourite hops.
“Working from the advisory board’s choices was really inspiring and quite fascinating,” said Jon. “It was so interesting to get insights from the most respected minds in beer. My goal was to keep the soul of their selections while making a beer that pours beautifully on cask.
“We are really pleased with the finished product and can’t wait to get it out for public consumption during Cask Ale Week 2025. With its sweetness and warmth, Guild’s Choice is a great ale for those who appreciate depth, balance, and character.”
He added: “We are beyond committed to this category, and Cask Ale Week provides an extra opportunity to highlight the extra qualities and care and attention that goes into not only brewing, but also treating and serving, the perfect pint of cask ale.”
Ed said: “We were intrigued to know what would happen if we blended the collective experience of the country’s top cask minds into one pint, and now we have it! Guild’s Choice. This limited-edition release blends insights from a whole advisory board of elite beer professionals.
“The answers we received quite literally became our recipe, a recipe that captures what experts love most about cask. We believe this process reflects Sharp’s commitment to bringing people together, elevating great British cask, and the pubs that are proud to serve it, and is proof that when the cask community comes together, we create something really special.”
Annabel Smith, a member of the Guild of Beer Sommeliers, said: “Cask beer is one of the great institutions of British culture, and it’s the cornerstone of British pubs. This beer is a collaboration between the Guild of Beer Sommeliers and Sharp’s, using all natural ingredients and produced using traditional methods. It’s a fantastic way of celebrating our national drink and recognising the importance of Cask Ale Week.”
During Cask Ale Week, which runs until 28th September, Guild’s Choice will be available (until stocks last) at The Mariners in Rock, The Blisland Inn, The Front in Falmouth, and the Brendon Arms, Bude. It will also be available in mini casks from Sharp’s Brewing Co’s shop and online.
