Weeks of hard work has paid off for Northumberland's independent breweries as their beer created in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine launches this week.
And though the final total hasn't been announced yet, it's thought to have raised around £4,000 which will go directly to the Red Cross, assisting those who have been internally displaced and those fleeing the country. The beer, which is part of the Drinkers for Ukraine initiative, has been created according to a base recipe by Ukrainian brewers.
One of its key ingredients is beetroot, a nod to the country's national dish Borscht, a soup often served with sour cream. And after weeks of fermenting and brewing the anti-imperial stout, drinkers will be able to try the beer at venues across the North East from this weekend at locations in Newcastle, Hexham and even Northumberland National Park.
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Sam Kellie, Director at the First and Last Brewery, one of the eight breweries involved, said: "By my rough sums, we're going to be donating somewhere in the region of four grand which is absolutely marvellous. A strong, dark beer takes a while to condition and get it into cans but it's ready and it's all been pre-sold to trade outlets in Newcastle and Northumberland - there's a premium on the price which we ummed and ahhed about but we want to maximise the donations for Ukraine."
For some of the eight breweries involved; The First and Last Brewery in Elsdon, Allendale Brewery, Muckle Brewing in Haltwhistle, Rigg and Furrow in Acklington, Brewis Beer Company in Amble, Alnwick Brewery, Twice Brewed in Bardon Mill and High House Farm Brewery in Matfen; it was the first time they had met up since before the pandemic. And for Sam, at least, it was great to be collaborating again.
Will you try Resist beetroot beer? Let us know in the comments below!
Sam continued: "Independent breweries tend to be quite tight, we speak to each other about various things and that's not unique to the North East. Maybe a little more so in Northumberland rather than Newcastle because we're more rural so we don't feel like we're competing as much but the industry generally tends to be quite supportive.
"This has been remarkably well-timed because on the back of Covid when everyone's been quite isolated, it's really nice coming together for a brew day and seeing each other again and all being together in the one place."
Isolation wasn't the only difficulty for these rural breweries during the pandemic as they were not eligible for the same levels of support as other hospitality businesses. Though they will hope that the worst is behind them.
Sam continued: "It's been really nice to have a shared positive project when the last three years have been dominated more by personal survival and trying to get through. To be focusing on something that's about giving back and working together, it's been quite affirming."
The creation of the beer has involved other rural businesses as well. For example, North East Organic Growers supplied their beetroot free of charge, as did Thomas Fawcett & Sons with their malt.
Sam added: "On the back of Covid, businesses have had it tight but everyone's been prepared to give their time and products for free. And that means more goes to the Red Cross and that's been really life affirming in a way that all of these businesses have said, 'There's a bigger cause out there,' and it's amazing to see that."
Many of the breweries involved will sell Resist on their website, while it will be available at the Crown Posada and Free Trade Inn in Newcastle, Platform Bar in Hexham, the Star Inn in Harbottle and at the Tynedale Beer Festival in June. The breweries also plan to continue posting on their social media channels on when and where it will be available.
For more information on the Drinkers for Ukraine initiative, click here.
