Hook Norton Brewery Celebrates 20 Years of Its Iconic Flagship IPA

Hook Norton Brewery is raising a glass(or two) to 20 years of Flagship IPA, first brewed in 2005 to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar. Originally launched as a one-off brew, it quickly won fans earning it a permanent place as the October beer in the brewery’s seasonal range of cask ales.

Flagship IPA shines with a clear, light copper hue and delivers notes of sweet biscuit and zesty orange, balanced by a hint of peppery spice. Packed full of the aptly named Admiral hops this is a beer that has refreshed thirsty souls for two decades.

To celebrate, Hook Norton Brewery held a cask ale launch at its flagship pub in Oxford, The Castle where customers enjoyed free samples of Flagship IPA and met the brewers. The next event on the horizon is Trafalgar Night Dinner & Drinks Evening – Tuesday 21st October, 7pm. A night of fine food, tradition, and ale at Hook Norton Brewery, including a 3-course dinner, drinks throughout the evening, traditional toasts, and a Silent Auction in support of Naval charities. Tickets available from the brewery shop and online at www.hooky.co.uk/events.

“Flagship was created as a tribute to naval history and became a standout in our lineup almost overnight,” said James Clarke, Managing Director at Hook Norton Brewery. “Two decades on, it remains a proud part of our brewing heritage. These events are our way of saying thank you to the people who’ve supported us along the journey.”

Adrian Tierney-Jones, Award-winning journalist and author of Playing Hooky commented “In a world where anything often goes with the phrase IPA, it’s wonderful to see that Flagship maintains a connection with the original style of beer that would have been brewed at Hook Norton in the years before World War I. It’s a potent pint, a celebration of English hops and malt in the glass, an easy drinking copper-coloured beer with a double act of biscuity malt and orange marmalade-like citrus on the nose too that draws the discriminating drinker in. On the palate there is more of the biscuit-like desirability of the malt alongside the sunshine of the orange marmalade before it finishes with a well-tempered bitterness and dryness that continues to elevate the palate. Full-bodied and dynamic, this is a worthy tribute to the men that broke the might of Bonaparte’s navy.“

Look out for further Flagship promotions as the brewery sets sail and launches a series of promotions in October.

Flagship will be available throughout October in cask on the bars at the brewery, Hook Norton pubs and discerning free houses. It is also available all year round in bottle from the brewery shop, local retailers and at www.hooky.co.uk