Brewery creates new ale to raise spirits amid lockdown
A brewer has created a special ale to help cheer people up during the coronavirus lockdown.
Morton Brewery has re-commenced brewing at its base in Essington, near Wolverhampton, and has created a new Indian pale ale called Locked Down IPA.
Locked Down IPA, which is 5.2 percent, has been described by brewery owner Gary Morton as "a strong, hoppy and bitter ale with plenty of flavour."
The 59-year-old, who has been brewing commercially since 2006, spoke about why he decided to create the ale.
He said: "Because we have our own brewery and we can brew any beer we want, we just decided to create one to fit in with the theme of lockdown.
"I'm hoping that people will be able to see the lighter side of lockdown and just enjoy a good beer, whether it's sitting in their back garden or wherever they please."
The ale is the first creation by Morton Brewery since it temporarily ceased brewing due to lockdown and the closure of the pubs.
Gary said the focus for the brewery during lockdown was to sell the beer it had in supply at its micropub Hail to the Ale at Claregate in Tettenhall, which is trading as an off licence.
Changes
He said: "Once we started to run out of our existing stock, that was when I decided to start brewing again, albeit on an every-other-week basis.
"We don't stock to anyone else at the moment apart from Hail to the Ale, but we'll be ready to go once lockdown restrictions are lifted."
Gary also said he was preparing to sell Locked Down IPA at the end of the month from Hail to the Ale and was awaiting the go-ahead from the Government to reopen the pub, with a few changes expected.
He said: "When we reopen, it won't go back immediately to how it was and I think pubs will be very different for a long time to come."
To find out more, go to hailtothealemicropub.co.uk
