Beer, at the end of the day its just a drink, 568mls of malt, hops, water, yeast and time, right? Well , yes ultimately it is, but sometimes it’s not, its more than that. It’s a social lubricant, it’s a national flagship, a regional bond, a timestamp to the end of the day or the start of a break. It can transport you back in time and space to a memory, a place, a feeling a warm summer's day when all was well.

It can be a communal bond, between family and friends.

The late Dr. Andy Fowell (left) with his son, Rich Fowell.

Back in September 2021 Rich Fowell, the founder of our very own Jack In The Box Altrincham and one of the Brewery’s & Bar’s directors was preparing to get married to his fiancée Elyse. The wedding had already been delayed twice by the prior 18 months of COVID disruptions, but they held off wanting to celebrate with family and friends. However, devastating news arrived one week before the date. News was received that Andy Fowell, Rich’s father had died in a cycling accident in Snowdonia aged just 66.

Weeks later Rich approached the Brewery team resolutely set on brewing a charity beer to raise money in his father’s name. As we discovered, for the last 25 years of his life he spent setting up the palliative care system across North Wales and beyond. His work was of huge benefit to those with Motor Neurone Disease, and their end of life care, with him, later becoming a trustee for the MND Association. In fact, two years ago he and his friends Steve and Roger cycled from Istanbul to Anglesey raising £25,000 for MNDA. Asia To Anglesey Facebook

What was called for was a 4% hoppy pale ale on cask and in can. A perfect match to that post cycle refreshment, a thirst quencher with a citrusy punch. A crowd-pleaser and a beer suitable to raise a glass in memory. To continue the fine work Andy and co started, we’ll be donating 50p from every pint sold and 50p from every can sold to Motor Neurone Disease Association in memory of Andy. We hope to donate around £2500 once all sales are in.

Rob from Loughran Brewing Stores who donated the hops for the brew.

To help us in this mission we’ve been blown away by the support we’ve received from our suppliers. Rob, Hamilton and Loughran Brewing Stores have very generously donated their expertise and 3 hop varieties that fit the bill for our citrusy, refreshing beer. Cashmere, Idaho 7 and Meridian. Rob Hamilton was actually the founder of Blackjack, moving on to Loughran Stores in 2020 and worked alongside Rich for 8 years. Rob and Loughran were the first to offer help to us to make sure we can achieve our charity mission and offered their expertise in offering a blend of hops that will hit our target. Crisp Maltings, who is our sole supplier for base malt at Blackjack came in with an amazing offer to supply the whole malt bill for the brew, again a massive help, no questions asked, reliable and resolute of support above and beyond from one of our key suppliers. And finally, Lallemand has provided us with a whole brew pitch of yeast. Gram for gram this is the most expensive addition, we are hugely thankful to them as well.

So where does all this lead? Well to 23rd of Feb when who else but Andy’s son Rich and two cycling partners in crime Roger and Steve who cycled across a continent with their late friend to raise money for charity, joined our newest brewer Sam to make this beer a reality. Mashing in a simple blend of Crisps Extra Pale & Wheat to an original gravity of 1.039. We’ve added a dash of bittering and a late hope whirlpool blend of Meridian, Cashmere & punch Idaho 7 T90 pellets donated from Loughan, with more in store for a big late dry hop hit.

The Curly Hetchins didn’t mean anything when we were told that’s the name of the beer, but the cycling buffs seemed to have a knowing nod. The Curly Hetchins as it transpires is the model of his much-loved bike, which Andy bought with his first pay as a doctor, and still rode most weeks. Beyond its lasting name, we have to thank Emma Hobbins who has produced a fantastic and beautiful hand-drawn illustration of Andy’s bike for the can design and pump clip.