Hall & Woodhouse have developed a new session beer, The Spanner, in collaboration with former Top Gear presenter turned pub owner, James May.
Toby Heasman, head brewer at Hall & Woodhouse, set out to create an intriguing and refreshing beer that was easy to enjoy pint after pint.
The Spanner is a sessionable 3.8% ABV traditional cask ale, brewed using British ingredients and designed to do one thing really well.
The combination of pale, crystal, and amber malts delivers a moreish biscuit mouthfeel and light auburn colour. New and traditional British hops varieties are used, including Challenger, Harlequin, and Olicana. These varieties have been chosen to give a balanced and sessionable hop character.
“It has been an absolute joy working with James May to develop The Spanner,” said Heasman. “We started the process at my home, where I have a small microbrewery in the garden shed.
“James came over and we spent an afternoon trying different Badger ales, getting his input into what our new beer should deliver. The Spanner complements our existing selection of beers, delivering everything our consumers know, love, and trust from Badger.
“We’re very excited to bring The Spanner to market across our estate of pubs, and of course it will be on tap at James’ own pub, The Royal Oak in Swallowcliffe.”
May took on The Royal Oak pub during lockdown in 2020. He said: “The Spanner isn’t trying to be clever. It has a single purpose: to be a good, reliable British ale that makes you want to stay in the pub for another, and another. If you want a beer that does more than this, you’re probably asking too much of it.”
