The 4.2% citrus pale ale will be available in cask direct from the Keystone-owned brewery for the next two months.
It will be on offer at Stonegate Pub Partners sites across the UK and Black Sheep Brewery’s Visitor Centre, which recently re-opened following a £1m investment to expand production capabilities.
Velo was first brewed in 2014 to celebrate the Tour de France passing by the brewery’s gates.
Point of pride
The seasonal favourite is said to be a “sessionable blend of citrus flavours”, balancing soft, sweet malts with zesty cascade hops, orange peel and a touch of coriander to produce a refreshing pale ale.
Black Sheep Brewery brand marketing manager Dave Sharples said: “We’re excited to see Velo back in pubs. Velo combines the exceptional quality of Black Sheep brewing with the unique fresh twist of coriander, a somewhat polarising flavour that sparks interest in the consumer.
“We’re proud of the history and story behind Velo, and it’s a real point of pride for us to bring it back each year as part of our commitment to championing cask beer.”
Velo, like the wider Black Sheep Brewery range, has been brewed using fresh water sourced directly from the limestone aquifers beneath the Yorkshire Dales.
Cask beer advocates
The naturally filtered water, rich in sulphates, is key to crafting beers with vibrant hop character and a crisp, dry finish.
Sharples continued: “Since it was first brewed in 2014, Velo has become a much-anticipated seasonal offering at Black Sheep Brewery.
“As advocates for cask beer, we’re always looking for innovative ways to reintroduce drinkers to this format and champion the wider category, and Velo is a perfect example of how we do just that.”
Last month, a petition was launched calling on the Government to recognise the production and serving of traditional British cask ales as Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) in a bid to protect the category.
