A new craft beer has been created especially to pair with dishes at London Mayfair’s Sexy Fish restaurant, indicating the segment has more room to grow alongside food.
The 4.4% ABV Sexy Fish lager was brewed in conjunction with Scotland’s Harviestoun craft brewery to pair with the restaurant’s seafood menu and “decadent interior”.
It will be the restaurant’s first and only house beer and is available exclusively from the eatery this month.
Inspiration for the brew came from Sexy Fish’s approach to Asian fusion cooking and the "classic ingredients" used in its Japanese-Thai cuisine.
Aromas of lemongrass
The one and only: Sexy Fish has never had a house beer before
The beer is crisp, light and refreshing with aromas of lemongrass and zesty citrus and coconut flavours, according to the maker.
This is the latest in a long line of foodservice collaborations for Harviestoun, which has flagship brews including Schiehallion and Bitter & Twisted – claimed to be coveted by chefs and fans of craft beer and food pairing alike.
Harviestoun managing director Toby Knowles said: “When Sexy Fish invites you to collaborate on a lager, you don’t say ‘no’.
“After all, it’s not every day you get to design a beer that pairs with octopus carpaccio and artwork by Damien Hirst in equal measure.
“The restaurant is a cross continental love affair, fusing big, bold American hops with aromatic Japanese varieties for that Asian experience in a glass.”
It was imperative in the development process that the beer would appeal to both connoisseurs of the category and anyone who just wanted a refreshing drink, according to Xavier Landais, director of bars at Sexy Fish’s parent company Caprice Holdings.
‘Partnering with Harviestoun’
He added: “The thought of creating a Sexy Fish beer really appealed to us and partnering with Harviestoun seemed like an obvious choice.
“Not only do they brew award-winning beers, but they are great fun to work with.”
Meanwhile, The Morning Advertiser has developed a guide to matching beer and cider with food, in conjunction with drinks expert Jane Peyton, There’s a Beer For That’s Neil Gannon and MCA’s Simon Stenning.
