Greene King is launching a new seasonal cask beer next month (July) called Peach Cooler, which the Bury St Edmunds brewer said is “something different for the bar this summer and appeals to fruity beer enthusiasts”.
Peach Cooler is a 3.4% ABV session ale that is said to have hints of honey, combined with stone fruit and peach characters, which is balanced by a light malt base.
The fruity ale will be available to order across all outlets in July and August, including for independent venues, and in both firkin and pin format (36-pint container).
Peach Cooler was created with the hot season in mind, with the brewer’s brief being to create a flavour of summer in a cask. The brief was assigned to Greene King’s recently qualified brewer, Simon Proctor, as part of his new product development in his apprenticeship.
Proctor used pale, amber and light Munich malt to create a clean, crisp base, and Alora hops to deliver the dominant peach flavour and aroma in the fruity ale. The recipe also includes hints of melon and apricot, perfect for a beer garden refreshment.
Having completed his brewing apprenticeship with distinction, he is now a fully accredited brewer at Greene King.
Proctor said: “I was really thrilled to take on the brief for Peach Cooler and my first step was looking at several malt teas, a smaller and simplified version of the mashing process, to create the perfect malt base for the ale.
“Once I was happy with the base, I then started exploring hop profiles and sampling various types of hops and how they worked together.
“I used a small amount of First Gold for the bittering hops, followed by the late whirlpool addition of Alora hops. Alora hops are a relatively new, aroma-focused variety with amazing peach and apricot notes, which were ideal for the creation of this summer ale.
“I am extremely proud of this beer. It was a great opportunity to showcase the brewing knowledge and skills I’ve gained over my years of training. That said, there’s always more to learn in brewing. I’m excited to see how people react to Peach Cooler and enjoy the refreshing cask beer.”
Greene King also cited evidence in the form of a survey by OnePulse that found that more than three quarters of the craft drinker respondents visiting a pub or social club would definitely, or probably, buy a pint of the session ale.
Ruby-coloured ale
Meanwhile, Salford-based Hydes Brewery will unveil Hydes Red, the latest addition to its popular Vintage cask ale collection, in July.
Following the success of this year’s earlier releases, XPA, Mild, and IPA, Hydes Red (4.5% ABV) will continue the momentum in the brewery’s six-strong seasonal line-up and will be available across all 40-plus Hydes pubs throughout July and August.
Hydes said: “This ruby-coloured ale stands out with its rich malt profile, crafted using dark Muscovado sugar and a touch of Red X ale malt. The resulting brew delivers malt, caramel, and subtle liquorice notes, offering drinkers a distinctive and authentic flavour experience.”
The Vintage series, launched in 2024, celebrates Hydes’ brewing heritage by drawing inspiration from the original Anvil Brand beers. The brewer added each limited-edition ale reflects classic styles infused with contemporary appeal, “reinforcing its commitment to quality and tradition”.
Following Hydes Red, the series will continue with Hydes Stingo (6.0% ABV) and conclude the year with Hydes Imperial (5.2% ABV).
Hydes has introduced retro-inspired branding, featuring bold pump clips and promotional materials that revive the iconic Anvil Brewery identity.
Hydes managing director Adam Mayers said: “Hydes Red marks an exciting chapter in our 2025 Vintage series. The enthusiasm for our earlier cask ales has been fantastic, and this ruby ale brings fresh character and flavour to the collection.
“Our vintage branding connects us to the heritage of the Anvil Brand while speaking to today’s drinkers. This refreshing bi-monthly range is a celebration of our past and a toast to the future.”
Sun-drenched afternoons
Herefordshire brewer Wye Valley Brewery is serving its Deuce cask ale in time for the Wimbledon tennis championships.
Deuce 3.8% ABV is a new limited-edition pale ale, brewed with a fruity twist.
The brewer said Deuce is a light, refreshing and full of character, and added it is a straw-coloured pale ale “delicately infused with hints of British summer fruits, delivering a subtle berry note that nods to the iconic flavours of Wimbledon”.
Wye Valley Brewery added the ale is a “perfect pairing for sun-drenched afternoons, this easy-drinking ale has been crafted to capture the spirit of summer in every pint”.
Available exclusively on cask, Deuce will be pouring at selected pubs across the UK – just in time to toast the first serve of the tournament at the end of June but will only be around for a short time.
Wye Valley Brewery head of marketing Abbie Gadd said: “We wanted to create something fun, fresh and full of summer flavour – and Deuce delivers just that.
“It’s a vibrant, seasonal ale that hints at strawberries and sunshine. Whether you’re a tennis fan or just in the mood for something different, it’s the perfect pint to enjoy in the sunshine.”
Wye Valley added Deuce follows the brewer’s commitment to innovation and flavour with its calendar of limited-edition beers.
Following Deuce will be Flower Power in July as a seasonal special, which will be available in keg format.
