This Heritage Brewer, founded in 1858 releases its first canned beer, Hopical Storm. Peter Morrell get a preview taste

The release is the brewer’s first canned beer and reinforces its uncompromising approach to quality and consistency by providing an additional packaging format that suits the brand and opens up availability to a younger, legal-drinking age audience.

Timothy Taylor’s Hopical Storm is a 4% triple-hopped sessionable pale ale topped with flavours of mandarin, mango and passion fruit that unleashes a tropical cyclone of refreshment. A genuine trail-blazer, Hopical Storm was originally launched as a cask ale, became Timothy Taylor’s first keg beer in 2020 and is now available as the first-ever canned beer from the Keighley brewer.

Launching the can, Timothy Taylor’s Chief Executive, Tim Dewey, explained “Hopical Storm is a delicious 4% triple-hopped sessionable pale ale that strikes thirst and is a characterful twist on the tradition associated with Timothy Taylor’s. Having launched successfully in cask and keg, we recognised that Hopical Storm cans would be a logical extension to our range as they would suit the style and flavour profile. The decision has been welcomed by pub and bar operators who might not necessarily have the cellar space or rate of sale required for a draught beer as well as supermarket and off-licence retailers who saw the potential for a refreshing triple-hopped pale ale that is more accessible than higher ABV beers in the category.

“This is a new approach for a brewery that was established in 1858″ continued Dewey “but one thing that is never compromised, no matter how a Timothy Taylor’s beer is presented, is quality. So, whilst Timothy Taylor’s core business remains in cask beer, Hopical Storm has become a core keg product but can also now be served in cans in a wider range of hospitality venues, at home or at outdoor events with drinkers reassured that they will still enjoy ‘that taste of Taylor’s’ they have come to expect.”

Hopical Storm is brewed using five UK-grown hops in three stages of hopping – Cascade and Whitbread Goldings in the copper, Cascade and Chinook at the hop back stage, then dry-hopped with Jester and Ernest. Combined with Timothy Taylor’s natural Knowle Spring water, fine barley malts and the unique Taylor’s Taste yeast to create the tropical storm of flavour and aroma.

Hopical Storm is notable for its pale golden appearance and clarity and is vegan-friendly, wearing the distinctive Vegan Trademark and certified by The Vegan Society. It is presented in 440ml aluminium cans with distinctive orange branding that characterises the burst of fruit aroma and flavours, and a cut-out silver lightning flash which symbolises Hopical Storm’s ability to strike thirst.

“Timothy Taylor’s is an independent business that operates with honesty, integrity and consistency” added Dewey “and is committed to brewing quality beers, using only the best ingredients, for everyone to enjoy. The development of Hopical Storm is a great example of building and investing in quality, premium brands for the future and the evolution from cask to keg to can ensures that we can get this delicious beer in the hands of thirsty drinkers who want a refreshing beer wherever they are and whatever the occasion.”

The tropical storm of flavour and aroma can be enjoyed as an unaccompanied refreshing drink but is also a perfect match for a range of different foods, including most pork dishes which pair well with the hops. The light fragrant flavours of South East Asian cuisine match the citrusy notes of Hopical Storm whilst white fish and shellfish complement the acidity and tropical fruit flavours.

Peter Morrell, Editor comments “Before writing my review I have an interest to declare. My local pub serves the renowned Timothy Taylor’s Landlord, it’s my ‘go to’ drink when I want a hoppy, flavourful draught pale ale. The fact that now I can enjoy a Timothy Taylor beer in a can is very exciting news.

“The new Hopical Storm Pale Ale is similar to its sibling Landlord, but the hops used have introduced different flavour dimensions. There are distinct notes of pine, grapefruit, flowers, and tropical fruit. These notes are subtle and elegant, rather than some ‘rip your throat out’ west coast IPAs. These characteristics make the beer very refreshing for a warm summer’s day.

“In addition, the abv of only 4% makes Hopical Storm the ideal beer for a long session with your friends. It’s also great for picnics, you can drink straight from the can, which has a wide pouring aperture, and the tactile label has a non-slip finish. In all, an impressive new beer from one of the UKs leading heritage brewers.”

Boosted by Timothy Taylor’s commitment to providing excellent customer service across every brand, Hopical Storm nationwide keg stockists are included on the brewers’ Pint Finder whilst the can has secured listings in selected Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, Ocado, Booths, and Waitrose stores with a RRP of £3.00 per 440ml can. The launch of Hopical Storm cans will be supported by a full calendar of marketing activity including print and digital advertising, sampling through Beer52, and presence at events including BrewLDN, the Yorkshire Dales Food & Drink Festival, Bloodstock Open Air, the Festival of Cricket, and as one of the brands poured by Timothy Taylor’s as the official beer partner of CarFest.

https://www.timothytaylor.co.uk/

About Timothy Taylor’s

Timothy Taylor’s is one of the UK’s oldest family-owned breweries with over 160 years’ heritage of brewing award-winning cask ales, with their Landlord winning more awards than any other beer, winning both CAMRA Champion Beer of Britain and the Brewing Industry Awards Gold Medal four times. Established in 1858 when Timothy Taylor began brewing in Keighley, the company remains in the family and is the last independent brewery of its type left in West Yorkshire.

About Hopical Storm

Strike Thirst. Unleash a tropical cyclone of refreshment with this 4% triple-hopped, sessionable pale ale topped with flavours of mandarin, mango and passion fruit. Brewed with Cascade and Whitbread Goldings in the copper, Cascade and Chinook at the hop back stage, then dry hopping with Jester and Ernest. All combining with natural Knowle Spring water, fine barley malts and our unique Taylor’s Taste yeast to create the tropical storm of flavour and aroma.

Hopical Storm was launched as a cask ale in Summer 2019 and became Timothy Taylor’s first ever permanently available keg ale in Spring 2020. Breaking more new ground, Hopical Storm is now available in 440ml cans and is certified as suitable for vegans by the Vegan Society, alongside Timothy Taylor’s full range of bottled beers and mini kegs.