A great day out in Lewes drew a sizeable crowd for the launch of Harveys Revival Ale as brewed by Bellowhead. The official launch was marked by Jon Boden and John Spiers setting up and impromptu session in the brewery yard, while a specially installed bar, was manned by two of the horn section, Brendan and Andy Mellon, who demonstrated natural pint pulling skills.
There was quite a crowd for the event and Sussex’s most famous folk family, the Coppers (below) were on hand to join in the celebrations and also join in with the singing. Another local legend, Shirley Collins MBE also came along, although only as an interested spectator, she seemed none the less to be thoroughly enjoying the music.
The beer flowed freely, before the four Bellowhead members set off on Harveys horse drawn dray to deliver the first four casks of ale to four pubs in Lewes. Jon and John kept up the musical accompaniment as the cart did the rounds, with Brendan adding some impromptu banjo.
The beer itself, proved delicious and at 3.7% has been brewed as a session ale, easy drinking with a very pleasant balance and dry hoppy finish. Harveys have embarked on a campaign to get the beer stocked nationally, outside of their Sussex stronghold and have had a good reaction from fans suggesting local pubs who would make suitable venues. With the possibility of tying in with sessions after the forthcoming shows, as announced on the recent Bellowhead session with Mark Radcliffe, there’s still time to nominate a pub near you.
So if you know of any suitable pubs, preferably within easy striking distance of the venues that the band are playing this November, then do get in touch with Bellowhead via twitter (@Bellowhead) using the hash tag #RevivalAle. You could be the catalyst for a similar session in your home town. If it can be arranged there is the very real prospect of some fine Harveys Revival Ale to get the party going, now that promises to be a night to remember, so #RevivalAle without delay.
For full details of their tour visit: http://www.bellowhead.co.uk/live.html
www.bellowhead.co.uk
http://www.harveys.org.uk/