Full steam ahead for The Mad Bishop and Bear with new brew
Apr 15, 2014
Paddington station now has its very own beer, thanks to the endeavours of Helen Wilson, licensee of the Mad Bishop & Bear pub, and two of her staff members – Brendan O’Brien and Matt Cooper – who brewed the beer at Brewster's Brewery in Grantham with Sara Barton, British Brewer of the Year, 2012-2013.
Mad Bear is a golden ale packed full of English malts and hops and will be launched at the Mad Bishop & Bear pub on Thursday 17 April. Helen Wilson had the idea for a house brew as a unique addition to the pub's already varied selection of Fuller's and guest ales.
Helen said: “Customers and staff of the Mad Bishop & Bear are complete ale devotees and we often discuss how amazing beer is. Having sold millions of pints of ale over the years, I wanted to experience actually brewing it. And now I have, I am even more besotted. I hope when our customers taste Mad Bear, they will be too.”
Helen was keen to pay homage to Paddington station's ursine namesake and his culinary preferences, so she asked Sara Barton to devise a beer with as much marmalade character as possible. The result is a rich 4% golden brew with resinous, orange and marmalade notes over a biscuity malty base. On brew day Helen, Matt and Brendan did not sit passively watching Sara do all the hard work – they rolled up their sleeves and got down to some serious hard work hauling malts and hops around the brewery. Once the brew was sent off for fermentation, they even climbed into dark, hot vessels to clean them out. No need to go to the gym when you're a brewer.
On Thursday 17 April, watch out for the pub staff member dressed up in a plush bear costume and ably attended by a ‘Mad Bishop’ who will be handing out free samples of Mad Bear on the station concourse. Helen is hoping that many thirsty travellers will then drift up the escalators to the pub and order their very own pint of the golden brew, along with canapés and nibbles to match with the flavours of the beer. Mad Bear is a limited edition beer and will be quenching commuters' thirsts until the middle of May. Such a tasty beer is definitely worth missing the odd train for.
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For more information contact:
Georgina Wald 020 8996 2198 [email protected]
Allie Hunter 020 8996 2175 [email protected]
Helen Wilson 020 7402 2441 [email protected]
Notes to Editor
Fuller, Smith and Turner P.L.C. is an independent traditional family brewer founded in 1845 and is based at the historic Griffin Brewery in Chiswick, London, where brewing has taken place continuously since 1654. The Company runs 176 managed pubs and hotels, with a focus on outstanding cask ale, great wine, exemplary service and delicious fresh, home-cooked food. The Company boasts 623 boutique bedrooms in its managed estate and also operates 208 tenanted pubs. Fuller’s pub estate stretches from Brighton to Birmingham and from Chew Magna to Canary Wharf, including 166 locations within the M25.
The Fuller’s Beer Company brews London Pride, as well as a portfolio of award-winning ales such as Chiswick Bitter, ESB and 1845. Three of Fuller’s beers - London Pride, ESB and Chiswick Bitter - have been named as CAMRA Champion Beer of Britain, a record unmatched by any other brewer. In June 2013, the Company acquired Cornish Orchards, a craft cider maker producing a range of award-winning ciders and premium soft drinks. Fuller’s also imports and markets a number of beer and wine brands.
Mad Bear Tasting Notes
Style: Golden Ale
ABV: 4%
Hops: First Gold and Admiral (English varietals). These give juicy orange and lemon citrus aroma and bitterness.
Malts: Pale Lager, Cara, Dark Crystal (from Baird Maltings in Grantham). These give a rich malty biscuit backbone to the beer.