New Peerless roll out for 2017 challenge

STARTING 2017 off with a roll out of a fine tuned cask ale range, Wirral's acclaimed Peerless Brewing Company is getting ready to tackle the next stage of its growth.

The rationalisation and roll out of new brands for the 7 year old business builds on a major 2015 investment to double capacity, as demand for the award winning ales grew around the Wirral and Merseyside, across the North West and nationally.

2 new brands are named to reflect the rich heritage of the region. Lottie Dod (4.2%abv) pays tribute to the illustrious Bebington born sportswoman Charlotte "Lottie" Dod who won the Wimbledon Ladies Championship 5 times; the 1st in the summer of 1887, aged just 15. She remains the youngest ladies' singles champion. Full bodied, classic amber ale the brew delivers:- "rich malt flavours from pale, cara and crystal malts combined with Admiral and First Gold hops while a touch of Cascade provide the beer with a nicely rounded finish."

A 2nd roll out is Langton Spin (4.4%ABV), a rebrand of the highly popular Peerless Gold and named for a manoeuvre carried out by Mersey River pilots. Following the 1st Liverpool Pilotage Act, in 1766, to stop the loss of ships in the busy traffic heading to the port pilots developed the Langton Spin. This unique technique of spinning the ships around enables vessels of up to some 400ft to enter Langton Lock on an ebb tide.

Peerless describes the brew as well balanced golden ale with:- "a distinct citrus fruit and hop aroma which delivers an initial hop bitterness derived from Admiral hops and citrus notes from El Dorado, Columbus and Cascade varieties leading to a crisp dry finish."

The revamp has seen cask ales Paxton's Peculiar and Crystal Maze dropped along with keg brew Storr Lager, as Peerless aims to concentrates on a core range of varied strength, cask brands along with creative monthly specials to be released in 2017. January sees the arrival of Chill Factor (4.1%) a zesty pale ale with Deadbeat (4%) blonde ale for February and a variety of styles following. including red wheat and red rye brews.

The brewery team, now 6 strong; has been strengthened with the appointment of law graduate turned trainee brewer Matt Brown while former pub and restaurant operator Pete Walsh takes a sales and distribution role.

Peerless founder and managing director Steve Briscoe said:- "With more and more brewers on the scene each year competition is ferocious, so quality has to be at the heart of our operation. Investment in new testing regimes and new staff alongside our new brands will see us meet the challenges of 2017 and step up to the next stage of our business."