HIS was a tale of treason, murder and martyrdom, yet little could Thomas Becket have known that his trial at Northampton Castle would, some eight and a half centuries later, inspire an award-winning beer whose life was almost cut similarly short.
Becket’s Ale, which is produced by Northampton brewery Phipps NBC, is the focus of this, the seventh in a series looking back at those who’ve taken titles in the Carlsberg UK Northamptonshire Food and Drink Awards since they began a decade ago and as Phipps’ Managing Director, Alaric Neville explained, its success in being named Artisan Local Drink of the Year in the 2015/16 competition is the only reason its future was rosier than that of its namesake.
“We’d been asked to create a medieval beer for a civic event to mark the 850th anniversary of the trial of the then Archbishop of Canterbury and, having researched a few recipes, most of which were pretty dismal, came up with the honeyed Becket’s Ale,” said Alaric.
“Although we’d never intended for it to become a regular, it was rather well received, so we thought we’d submit it for the competition and were thrilled when it won the category.
“It’s why, rather than confine it to the history books, we decided to continue to brew it and I can honestly say that, without the interest from prospective customers that the win brought, the ale would simply have fizzled out like a flat lager, rather than become one of our top three best sellers.”
As a direct result of the increase in demand prompted by the victory, Phipps took on an apprentice – now a fully qualified brewer – and Becket’s Ale is a firm fixture on the brewery’s list of core beers, while it also proudly boasts a range of six gins which again revitalises the brewery’s previous heritage of spirit-making for which it was also known prior to WW2.
Indeed it’s Opal Gin – one which changes in colour from blue to pink when tonic is added – will be vying for the title of New Local Drink at the second stage of judging in October after being named as one of six finalists in that category last month.
Phipps NBC is certainly no stranger to the impact that success in the county competition can bring; its accolades include its Northamptonshire Bitter being named Best Local Drink in the very first year of the awards – albeit then brewed by Phipps Director Roy Crutchley under his Hoggleys brand – while last year Alaric took the Chairman’s Award – an honour which is presented to someone in recognition of their outstanding contribution to the sector and which he earned not least for his work behind the successful rejuvenation of the annual Northampton County Beer Festival.
“The crucial thing that the awards and the associated activity like the Made In Northamptonshire group achieves is that not only do they give you evidence of credibility in the marketplace, but they also remind you that there’s no room for complacency,” said Alaric.
“Perhaps best of all, they also offer an opportunity to be part of the wider success of the sector in the county so, for example, Neneview Dairy’s Phipps Firkin goats cheese uses our ale while our gin is a key ingredient in Friars Farm’s Gin and Orange Marmalade and both of those have been named as finalists in the competition this year.
“Such collaborations make us just as proud as winning awards ourselves.”
As if producing drinks wasn’t enough, the brewery also has its own ‘shop front’ in the form of the Albion Bar, which showcases not only its own creations but also other drinks and tasty treats from local producers. In addition, the pub, which celebrated its third birthday last month, plays host to gigs, enabling Alaric to maintain an element of his former life working in the music business.
For further information on Phipps NBC, including discovering more on its range of beers and gins or to book a brewery tour, call 01604 946606 or find them on Facebook.
Meanwhile for more details about the Carlsberg UK Northamptonshire Food and Drink Awards, including how to enter the remaining categories, visit www.northamptonshirefoodanddrink.co.uk or call Rachel Mallows on 01933 664437 or email
You can also follow the awards on twitter at @foodawardsHQ and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/foodawards