Harvey’s ‘Down Under’

Last year, Ross Kenrick (Brew Master at the Australian-based Bacchus Brewing Co) took in our elusive brewery tour as part of his visit to the UK. After a bit of post-tour sampling, Ross cheekily enquired if there was a possibility of Harvey’s sharing our Best Bitter recipe for him to brew something similar back in Australia.

Harvey’s Brewery Head Brewer Miles Jenner said he would consider sharing the recipe but since it contained several proprietary ingredients, including our over-half-a-century-old yeast strain, it wouldn’t be of much use. After some persuasive discussion, Miles said: “Leave it with me, I’ll see what we can do”.

On returning to Australia, Ross kept in touch and Harvey’s agreed to share not only the Best Bitter recipe, but a further three (including our World Beer Award winners Old Ale and Lewes Castle Brown Ale, plus our April seasonal ale Georgian Dragon). Miles also agreed to airfreight all the proprietary ingredients, including our yeast strain, so Bacchus Brewing Co could recreate the beers in Australia.

Now, every year around St. George’s Day, Bacchus Brewing Co pour Harvey’s Brewery’s real ales from their hand-pumps. Please visit their Facebook event page for more information.

Those living ‘down under’ – let us know what you think!