The month of May is known for its mild weather and beer drinkers will also know it as The Campaign for Real Ale’s (CAMRA) Mild Month, which puts the spotlight on mild ales.
To help celebrate Mild Month this year, Fuller, Smith & Turner P.L.C., London’s only traditional brewery, is getting in early and launching two mild ales into its seasonal ale range for April, which will both also be available throughout May.
Gales Festival Mild was originally produced in the early 1990s when the North Hants and Surrey division of CAMRA asked Gales brewery to develop a mild ale for their beer festival.
Such was the success of the brew that small quantities became available commercially and Gales Festival Mild went on to win numerous CAMRA beer awards. Fuller’s acquired Gales in 2005 and has since maintained Gales Festival Mild as a staple of its seasonal beer portfolio.
Joining Gales Festival Mild as a seasonal beer for April and May is Fuller’s Hock. A 3.5% ABV cask conditioned ale, Hock is packed with subtle sweet caramel and malty flavours. Hock returned to the Fuller’s seasonal range in 2005 following a 12-year break and has proved popular with drinkers up and down the country.
Fuller’s Head Brewer, John Keeling, says the two ales make a fine addition to the seasonal line-up and are the perfect introduction to Mild Month.
“Gales Festival Mild, at 4.8% ABV, is a full-bodied ale with a palate rich in blackcurrant, raisins and raspberry and citrus notes in the finish. It has long been popular with CAMRA and we are pleased to make this premium beer part of Mild Month and the Fuller’s seasonal line-up, together with the classic and refreshing Hock.
“Fuller’s fans are an adventurous group and we enjoy challenging them. Mild is an historic ale style which has fallen out of favour recently, however these two beers are fantastic examples of the style and I would recommend them to anyone, particularly in the run-up to Mild Month.”
Both Gales Festival Mild and Hock will be available in selected Fuller’s pubs and free houses during April and May.
