Hook Norton Brewery brews beer for director's 33rd year

James Clarke, the great great grandson of founder John Harris, has elected to create a dark mild style beer called XXXIII, reflective of the brewery's main output from the early 1900s to 1980s.

He said: "This is a unique opportunity in our 175th Anniversary year to brew a beer to celebrate my 33 years at the brewery."

The ale's label featuring James Clarke (Image: Hook Norton Brewery)

On April 1, the launch of this beer will be celebrated with Mr Clarke riding the brewery's Shire Horse Brigadier to three pubs during their annual Hooky on Tour event.

While Mr Clarke and Brigadier are outside the pubs, visitors will have the chance to enjoy a complimentary pint of XXXIII.

Brewed with crystal, chocolate, enzymic and Maris otter pale ale malts then hopped with Fuggles and Bramling Cross, XXXIII is a dark 3.3 per cent ale that features soft notes of dark fruit.

The ale will be available at the bar at the brewery and in Hook Norton pubs across Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire, Northamptonshire, Warwickshire and Worcestershire as a limited edition release.

This special brew is just one part of the brewery's year-long celebration of its 175th anniversary, with various events and new beers to be released throughout the year.

Information on these events can be found on the brewery's website.