TV host Jeff Stelling in boost for cask
Added: Saturday, February 4th 2023
Greene King has hosted its fifth event with sports presenter Jeff Stelling as part of a series of evenings to encourage guests to enjoy some of the best things about British pubs: cask beer and quizzes.
The brewery has launched several competitions over the past six months for pubs to win a sports evening with Jeff Stelling, with Abbot Ale. The most recent event was at the Green Man, part of Punch Pubs, in Sandridge near St Albans.
As part of a wider partnership with Jeff Stelling and Abbot Ale, the events have been aimed at helping the nation slow down and enjoy the best and most simple things in life, such as a quiz at the local pub or savouring a pint of cask beer.
Greene King has hosted the events in pubs in Nottingham, Sudbury, King’s Lynn and Cardiff as well as Sandridge. The evenings have included a Q&A session, with questions submitted to Jeff on the night and guests have also been offered a free taste of Abbot Ale, celebrating and encouraging guests to enjoy the beer.
Emma Hibbert, marketing controller for Abbot Ale, says: “We have loved working with Jeff to help support our customers with these exciting events for their community and putting on a sports quiz like no other. Abbot Ale is a popular choice across the country, however it’s also great to get guests sampling our premium cask ale and encouraging more people to visit their local pub and enjoy quality cask beer because there really is nothing better.”
Jeff Stelling adds: “It has been a pleasure to work with such a great brewery and Abbot Ale really is a fantastic cask beer, that is truly meant for savouring. I’ve had a great time touring some of Britain’s friendliest pubs and getting to provide guests with something a little different on a weekday evening.”
Jeff is seen above with Roger Protz in the Green Man.
New seasonal cask beers start with ales for the Six Nations
Greene King is launching its limited-edition cask beers for February, Scrumdown and Opening Session, which are centred around the Six Nations Rugby competition, with a nod to World War 1 history, as part of its Fresh Cask Release calendar for 2023.
Scrumdown, a 4.1% amber ale, has been redesigned to give it an updated look. It will be available through February and March, a perfect accompaniment for guests enjoying the live rugby in the pub.
Making its debut on to the bar for the first time will be Opening Session, a 3.8% pale ale, which includes subtle tropical fruit characters. The name for the pale ale was inspired by the World War 1 legislation, that limited pub openings to sessions for munition workers, leading to this refreshing pint that draws on an interesting piece of British pub history.
The two exclusive cask ales form part of the wider Fresh Cask Releases calendar, a portfolio of 18 limited-edition cask beers available at specific times throughout the year ahead..
Head brewer Jack Palmer joined Greene King last year and has been a key person in the selection for the calendar, including February’s Scrumdown and Opening Session.
Jack says: “We are so excited to launch these seasonal cask beers as part of the new Fresh Cask Releases calendar. We pride ourselves on the quality, design and stories behind these beers that means each and every beer is unique. Greene King has more than 200 years of history, so it’s important that we celebrate our heritage.
“Creating exciting styles and flavours in cask ale is a passion for us, as we continue to provide publicans with something new throughout the year to broaden guest appeal and engage new drinkers..”
Greene King will also be supporting publicans with a welcome pack for the Fresh Cask Releases calendar, including the full year layout, tasting notes and access to online training support. Bespoke point of sale for selected releases throughout the year will also be available to attract drinkers' attention.
