From the Lake District to Leeds, and Birmingham to Bristol, 2025 has already been a year of incredible collaborations, stories, and seriously good beer.
Over the past few months, the Castle Rock crew has been on the road, and at home, teaming up with some of the UK’s most exciting breweries to create five unique beers - each one a reflection of shared passion, and the friendships that make this industry so special.
Here’s a round-up of all the collabs that you’ll find pouring at craft beer festivals in Bristol and Nottingham this June.
Parasol – Piña Colada Sour with Attic Brew Co, Birmingham
Style: Fruited Sour – ABV: 5.5%
Our long-time friends at Attic Brew Co welcomed us to Birmingham for a bright, tropical brew that gives holiday vibes. Parasol is a 5.5% Piña Colada Sour, bursting with pineapple and coconut – juicy, tangy, and just the right amount of indulgent.
We spent the day brewing with Sam, Ollie, and Harry, followed by a taproom tour and a top-tier night out in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter. This one’s all about flavour and fun – and it shows in every sip.
Brickyard – Ruby Mild with Lost Cause Brewing, Nottingham
Style: Strong Ruby Mild – ABV: 6.0%
Next, we hosted the one and only Colin Stronge at our Nottingham Brewery. Colin’s known for his work at Buxton, Marble, Black Isle, Salt, and now Lost Cause Brewing Co. - he brought a wealth of experience and a love of bold beers.
Brickyard was brewed on our main kit as a loving nod to Sarah Hughes Dark Ruby Mild. Malty, rich, and deeply satisfying – definitely a fitting tribute to a beer that the whole team enjoys.
Trifecta – Session IPA with Arbor, Bristol
Style: Session IPA - ABV: 4.8%
Next stop: Bristol, where an earlier collaboration with New Bristol Brewery led us to meet Arbor - a thriving independent brewery with a great reputation for beautifully crafted beer. With Seán and Ella, we brewed Trifecta - a 4.8% Session IPA showcasing three hop heroes from around the world: Harlequin (UK), Mosaic (USA), and Nectaron (NZ).
A day of great brewing gave way to great pubs (hello, The Hillgrove and Hare on the Hill) and even better company – made memorable when Cards Against Humanity appeared and things got gloriously silly.
Slate – Stout with Fell Brewery, Cumbria
Style: Stout - ABV: 5.5%
In the Lake District, we joined the Fell Brewery team to create a deeply satisfying stout: Slate. Built on a complex malt grist and fermented with a mix of Yorkshire and Nottingham yeasts, Slate offers layers of dark chocolate, ripe dates, and a touch of bramble.
We stayed at Fell’s 17th-century pub, The Royal Oak, and spent a lovely evening with Jonny. After a restful sleep we had an early start and brewed with Scott, Midge, and Rory. After Duke dug out the entire mash tun solo (and ached for days), we celebrated with a legendary BBQ from Michael, and a chatted about live music with Watson, who created the stunning keg badge.
Ambika – Ginger Beer with DMC Brewery, Leeds
Style: Ginger Beer - ABV: TBC
Finally, in Leeds, we met up with Giuseppe and Ele at DMC Brewery for a brew rooted in family, flavour, and history. Together, we created Ambika a ginger beer made with fresh ginger, mango, passionfruit and lime – a bright, spicy, and tropical nod to a centuries-old Yorkshire tradition.
Rachel, from our marketing department, brought along a stoneware bottle from her great-grandad’s own ginger beer brewery, W. Spencer & Sons of Sowerby Bridge. We learned about the colonial spice trade origins of ginger beer, the culinary roots of the DMC team, and topped the day off with a visit to the Duck and Drake - a Leeds institution.
It’s All About the Beer!
We’re excited to confirm that DMC will be sharing our bar at Nottingham Craft Beer Festival this year. We first met Giuseppe and Ele at the Robin Hood Beer and Cider Festival, where their top-notch ginger beers created a buzz of excitement!
Whilst our pub estate naturally showcases Castle Rock beers, our pub managers have the freedom to proudly serve an ever-evolving selection from brilliant indie breweries across the UK. It’s our way of celebrating the wider brewing community.
If you haven’t been lucky enough to find yourself at either the Bristol or Nottingham festivals in the coming days, rest assured every day is a beer festival in our pubs!
Big love, team CRB x
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