Heineken launches charity ale
Heineken UK has launched a limited-edition charity cask ale, Marmalade Breeze, which will launch in time for Cask Ale Week.
Marmalade Breeze, brewed with Greene King, is a light 3.4% ABV golden ale with bright tropical fruit aromas, subtle malt sweetness and a crisp, clean finish. It will be available to Star Pubs from 1 September to the end of November.
This year’s charity ale will be offered in smaller 4.5L pin kegs for the first time, with the aim of reducing risk and potential waste. Every pint sold will raise 20p for the Marmalade Trust loneliness charity.
Star Pubs managing director Lawson Mountstevens said: “Last year’s Marmalade Best proved a huge hit with customers and raised £17,000. This year we’re expecting to top that.
“A charity ale is more than just a beer - it’s a conversation starter, a way for staff to engage guests, and a chance for pubs to do something positive for their communities while boosting sales.”
- Read more about how pub across the country are planning to celebrate Cask Ale Week 2025 here.
Greene King releases collaborative brew with Thornbridge
Suffolk-based Greene King Brewery has released its first collaboration cask brew with Derbyshire-based brewer, Thornbridge.
Genevieve is a 4.5% ABV dry-hopped West Coast IPA, made using Bravo and Sultana hops, which combines pineapple and citrus flavours to create a hop-forward cask beer with a clean, crisp body.
The recipe for Genevieve was created in partnership at the Thornbridge Brewery, with trial brews and final brews taking place at the Greene King site in Bury St Edmunds.
Thornbridge co-founder Simon Webster said: “We’re thrilled to be partnering with Greene King on Genevieve, our very first cask collaboration together.
“As brewers with a shared passion for quality and heritage, it’s been fantastic to combine our expertise to create something truly special.
“Genevieve is a celebration of cask ale at its finest — full of character, brewed for the season, and perfect for raising a pint to the start of autumn.”
The beer is available for venues to order now until October, including for Cask Ale Week celebrations.
Greene King technical brewer Alan Fulcher added: “When Thornbridge came up as a potential collaboration partner, we instantly said yes.
“We’re huge fans of their beers, and they share our commitment to cask and exploring the styles it offers. Collaborating on a recipe that reflects the strengths of both breweries has been a fantastic experience, and I truly believe we’ve created a very special pint.”
Genevieve has been released as part of Greene King Fresh Cask Releases calendar, which includes 15 limited-edition beers available, at select times throughout the year.
The seasonal cask calendar is available for all outlets to order in both firkin and pin formats. Brews released so far in this year’s calendar have included Spring Break, Bird of Prey, Back of the Net, Peach Cooler and Radical Hoptimist.
In April this year, Greene King also announced Old Speckled Hen (3.4% ABV) would be joining its permanent cask ale range, following a successful retail launch in 2024.
Hydes unveils limited-edition seasonal ale
Manchester-based Hydes Brewery has introduced its latest limited-edition seasonal ale in its Vintage cask ale collection, Stingo (6% ABV).
Stingo will be available exclusively across Hydes’ pub estate in the North West and North Wales throughout September and October.
The brew was described as having a robust and complex character balanced by a pronounced hop bitterness that creates a sharp and memorable flavour profile.
It follows the launch of XPA, Mild, IPA and Hydes Red earlier this year. Next to be released will be a 5.2% ABV Porter to round off the programme later in the year.
Hydes managing director Adam Mayers said: “Stingo embodies the essence of Autumn.
“We’ve created a beer that is both comforting and flavourful, capturing the richness of the season. We can’t wait for our customers to experience it.”
Shepherd Neame expands core range
In June, Kent-based brewer and pub operator Shepherd Neame introduced a new cask ale to its permanent range – Creekside Juicy IPA (4%).
A pale golden Juicy IPA, Creekside offers bursts of tropical fruits courtesy of a combination of four hops - Challenger, Mosaic, Jester and Amarillo, with hints of orange and peach making for a refreshing finish.
The new brew takes its name from Faversham Creek, which runs through the heart of the medieval market town that has been home to Shepherd Neame for more than 300 years.
Shepherd Neame chief executive Jonathan Neame said: “This is an exciting time for Shepherd Neame, as we continue to invest in expanding our award-winning collection of beers, and we are confident that Creekside will prove popular with drinkers across our estate.”
It is the third new beer to join the brewer’s permanent range so far this year, with First Drop (4.3%), a refreshing Keg Session IPA, launching in February, and Iron Wharf stout (4%) following in April.
Creekside is available now in Shepherd Neame pubs and hotels across the firm’s 289-strong estate across Kent, London and the South-East. Read more here.
JW Lees brings back Boddingtons
Going back to July, Manchester-based pub operator and brewer JW Lees struck a deal with Budweiser Brewing Group (BBG) to bring back Boddington’s, brewing the beer in the city in cask format for the first time since 2012.
JW Lees signed a long-term partnership with BBG to brew the 4% beer and sell the Boddingtons Cask brand under licence across the UK on trade in free trade and in national accounts. BBG will continue to sell Boddingtons in packaged and keg formats. Read more here.
Theakston Peculier IPA now available for the on-trade
Independent Yorkshire-based brewery T&R Theakston recently announced the on-trade launch of Peculier IPA in a bid to attract “new drinkers to cask”.
The IPA was created by head brewer Mark Slater around two years ago and originally launched in the off-trade in 2023, achieving listings in Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, Co-Op and Booths.
Made with 100% British ingredients, Peculier IPA is brewed using British malted barley and three new world, English grown hops, Harlequin, Jester and Olicana.
The 5.1% ABV brew boasts a zesty, fruity flavour with a full-bodied malty undertone, finished with a pronounced hop-forward flourish. Read more here.
St Austell Brewery’s 2025 Cask Club
This year’s Cask Club series from Cornish pub operator and brewer St Austell Brewery have all been movie themed.
Available across the on-trade and its pub estate, Shark Bait (3.9%), Outta Time (4.3%), Breakfast Club (4.5%), Maverick (4.5%), and Jingle All The Way (4.1%) complete the line-up.
The beers form part of St Austell Brewery’s annual Cask Club series, which sees its brewers experiment by bringing unique brews to life in its small batch brewery.
Shark Bait was a light and zesty pale ale with flavours of passionfruit and stone fruits while Outta Time was said to feature a mix of floral, herbal and tropical hop flavours.
Breakfast Club, which was available this summer, was a golden ale brewed in collaboration between St Austell Brewery and Toast Brewing surplus bakery bread alongside British Harlequin and Jester hops.
Available from Monday 1 September, St Austell’s Autumnal cask, Maverick, is an American IPA brewed with Amarillo, Citra and Cascade hops, described as an “acceleration of orange, hops, and honey”.
Next to be released will be Jingle All The Way, available from Monday 17 November and offering “rich aroma of piney hops and raisin, toffee and malt notes”.
The brewery added it has a “deep and bittersweet finish, having been brewed with British ingredients including Challenger and Goldings hops. Read more about the range here.
Hobgoblin Session IPA now available in cask
Earlier this year, Carlsberg Marston’s Brewing Company (CMBC) announced the launch of Hobgoblin Session IPA in cask, following a surge in popularity in both the on and off trade.
Available for pubs to order now, the 3.4% ABV brew offers “an intense and hoppy flavour with a fresh, zesty aroma.”
CMBC director of marketing Jo Marshall described Hobgoblin Session IPA as “a fantastic beer”. Read more here.
Oakham Ales brews solar-powered beer
Peterborough-based Oakham Ales has brewed a new cask ale using solar power.
Following the installation of a rooftop solar PV system by Electron Green, the brewer launched Sun City, a 3.7% blonde ale featuring Nelson Sauvin and Nectaron hops from New Zealand.
Released in August, the beer is said to offer tropical fruit, gooseberry, and citrus notes with a herbal finish.
Oakham former head brewer Mark Tetlow, who was the driving force behind the initiative, said the move was a “huge step” in making Oakham Ales more sustainable.
Current head brewer Ed Sharman was also enthusiastic about the launch and the solar powered system, praising Electron Green for their support.
- To be featured in The MA’s new products round-up series, please email rebecca.weller@wrbm.com. Check out the previous no & low new products round-up here.
