It’s time to celebrate the world of beer as Young’s and Geronimo Inns introduces The Great Hop Expedition: an entire season of brew bus tours, beer-bod tuition and tempting offers that pay homage to the world’s best brews.
A celebration of the hop and craft beer industry, The Great Hop Expedition will showcase beers from around the world made using hops from Germany to New Zealand as well as the world’s largest hop exporter, USA. A key ingredient to the brewmaster’s toolkit, hops are the herbs of beer. Each possess rich aromas and flavours and when married with a regions’ distinct brewing style, give some of our best loved beers their unique taste – from German and Czech Pilsners to British Bitters and IPAs, as well as a world of new world craft beers made by the rising number of microbreweries.
Hop on board with Young’s as they take you on a flavor journey through the wonderful world of beer. Running from September to October guests can plummet into a pint or two with Young’s largest offering of beer happenings to date, designed to truly educate, entertain and excite. Customers are encouraged to step out of their comfort zone and broaden their beer horizons as they discover the stunning ales, lagers and stouts made from the giant hops in the beer world. High profile, iconic brewers will be on hand at each event to share their top tips and expertise including the likes of Meantime, Founders, Sambrook’s and Guinness.
From pairing pints with dishes, to live music and learning how to brew your very own, jump on board The Great Hop Expedition to transport your taste buds at Young’s favourite drinking dens. Here’s just some of the events and giveaways happening at Young’s Great Hop Expedition this year…
Hop On, Hop Off
Take a money-can’t-buy, prize winning bus tour journeying around Young’s birthplace, Wandsworth. First stop, The Duke’s Head, located along the banks of the River Thames in Putney and where the finest brewers from the USA will be on-hand equipped with their brews. Second stop is The Ship, showcasing UK beers with Young’s very own head brewer, and round the day off at The County Arms for a beer tasting and food pairing using New World beers – joined by all the brewers.
Hop On, Hop Off tour tickets are available to win via competition giveaways on @YoungsPubs social media — keep your eyes peeled!
A History of Hops and the First English Hops with Young’s
One of the nation’s longest-established pub groups, Young’s have been creating iconic serves since 1831. Hosted by experts from Charles Wells and Marston’s breweries, this masterclass covers everything you need to know about the rich history of beer. Discover how beers were first made and flavoured in early Europe using just herbs and spices and before hops were introduced to the brewing process, to the ways different hop varieties are used and new techniques were discovered to create the Young’s beers we know and love today. The Coborn, (14th September) Tickets: £15
Meet the Brewer with Guinness
Discover the Guinness story, from its humble beginnings in 1959 to the present day, and get your fill along the way. Learn all about their unique brewing process and how the brand became a household name before sampling Guinness’ most iconic serves and variations alongside a paired food menu. The Windmill, Mayfair (19th October); Coach & Horses, Isleworth (26th October); Hand & Spear, Weybridge (2nd November) Tickets: £25
Pursuit of Hoppyness with Meantime
Wrap your laughing gear around this fun-filled night with London brewery Meantime. Taste five different styles of beer whilst getting a feel for the different varieties of hops used, before enjoying side-splitting stand-up from Aussie comedian Big Al. The Bull, Streatham (15th September); Narrowboat, Islington (27th September); The Phoenix, Victoria (10th October) Tickets: £15
The Science of Beer and Food with Sambrook’s
Learn at the feet of Sambrook’s master brewers how to create a great recipe for champion beer. Have a taste of how great beer is made, from the raw ingredients to the finished article, you’ll be a pro in no time. The Britannia, Kensington (8th September); The Bull, Streatham (12th October); The Leather Bottle, Earlsfield (19th October) Tickets: £15
Yeastie Boys Beers
Yeastie Boys laugh in the face of comfort zones. Learn how to transform your life and become a master brewer with this New World beer talk and tasting. Sit back as Wellington-based founders Stu McKinlay and Sam Possenniskie explain why they swapped pencil pushing for beer brewing, all while sampling some of their most popular pints brewed in the UK and across the world. The Brewers Inn, Wandsworth (28th September); The Hammersmith Ram (26th October); Dial Arch, Woolwich (2nd November) Tickets: £12-15
Bellville’s American Road Trip
Get a taste of the US of A with Bellville Brewing Co with the American Road Trip, featuring a tasting of five iconic brews, perfectly paired nibbles, and a talk on the different hops that give each serve its distinct flavour. The Windmill, Clapham (12th October) Tickets: £10
Founders Meets…
Known the world over for their beers with immense body and tons of flavour, Founders will be delivering a relaxed food pairing focusing on one of four favourite food options; cheese, charcuterie, chocolate, ice cream, or for something extra special, Bourbon. Start the evening with a pint of All Day IPA, before as you hear about the brands history from Founders’ Tim Traynor before discovering the perfect matches to be enjoyed. Defector’s Weld, Shepherd’s Bush (4th October); The White Bear, Kennington (10th October); The Trinity Arms, Brixton (18th October) Tickets: £15
(Dis)Loyalty Cards*
Fortune favours the brave. Pick up a (Dis)Loyalty Card at any Young’s pub this Autumn to receive a stamp every time you try a new type of craft beer or cask ale. Fill up the entire card, and you’ll be thanked with an exclusive ticket to Young’s very own Beer Festival in January 2018.
*participating pubs only