Passion fruit sour beer pickled egg to be launched at GBBF

06-Aug-2018 - Last updated on 06-Aug-2018 at 08:27 GMT

Where pickling came first: Purely Pickled Eggs has long been a staple on the bar at the Cock Tavern (where Howling Hops was born)

Bar snacks have come a long way since the days of sausage rolls and salt & shake crisps.

From gourmet snacking salami to drippy Scotch eggs, pubs now stock a wide array of weird and wonderful small bites for drinkers to get their chops around while supping on a pint.

However, this latest concept might prove a novelty too far.

Howling Hops Brewery has teamed up with Purely Pickled Eggs to launch a brand new passion fruit sour beer pickled egg – which they are launching at the Great British Beer Festival (GBBF) opening trade day on Tuesday 7 August.

Meeting of minds

The concept is a coming together of two experimental and innovative companies. Howling Hops has brewed well over 100 different beers in many styles, while Purely Pickled Eggs from Stroud in Gloucestershire, specialises in developing unique flavours for British free range eggs using traditional pickling methods.

Purely Pickled Eggs has long been a staple on the bar at the Cock Tavern (the Hackney pub where Howling Hops was born) and hence when the Cock’s bar manager Christian Campbell suggested a collaborative pickled egg recipe using Howling Hops beer, Purely Pickled Eggs’ ‘pickling director’ Sue Tyley jumped at the opportunity.

A long trial period ensued with many different beers being tried and tested but it was Howling Hops’ Passion Fruit Gose that got the thumbs up as the perfect blend for a pickled egg beer snack.

Complementary flavours

"We enjoyed tasting the different pickle flavours that came from our beers," said Campbell. "The sour beer stood out as giving the pickled egg a real tropical fruitiness with a touch of lemon and saltiness that works really well.

"There were some challenges involved in arriving at the perfect blend," added Tyley. "Howling Hops has brewed a delicious sour beer that was a pleasure to work with and we’re delighted to be launching this unique and exciting flavour at such a legendary beer festival."

Curious drinkers wishing to try the unusual delicacy should head to the Pickled Egg bar at this year’s GBBF, which runs from 7-11 August at Olympia, Kensington, west London.