Little did we know when we grudgingly agreed to brew a straight-up 4.2% Lager for our friends running a small restaurant in Topsham in 2021, that two years later that lager would be racing to the top of our sales charts with no signs of stopping.
We have mentioned previously that we are seeing serious growth in consumer interest in local, independent craft lager, and there is no more vivid an illustration than the rise and rise of Harmony Helles.
CRAFT BEER RISING
Harmony is, quite simply, a great lager. It is confidently full-flavoured and makes the most of its simple ingredients, but it isn’t what you might think of as ‘craft’. It’s not hazy, it’s not hopped with anything unusual, there’s no dry-hop, there’s no exotic and intricate mashing process. It’s just a very well-made, classic lager.
But, as craft beer’s kudos continues to infiltrate the mainstream, the number of drinkers interested in high quality, local and independent products is growing. To see this even among classic lager drinkers – often a very brand-loyal bunch – shows just how far craft beer’s influence is creeping.
And why not? As the price of a pint rises, the value proposition changes. There is little disputing that in the majority of independent venues there has been a shift in drinking culture towards having a few pints of something you’re going to enjoy in moderation, rather than larger volumes of the cheapest, barely-palatable pint on the bar.
Independent venues need to stand apart from the crowd and part of that difference is having a bar offering that gives customers another reason to come. But that doesn’t mean it has to be niche or specialist – generally the best products will support and enhance a venue’s values, but still remain as widely appealing as possible.
ACCESSIBILITY
Harmony Helles, as a classic lager, is as inclusive as beer gets – a familiar style, easily accessible, with a broad and varied audience. It is this mass appeal, combined with its solid credentials for being local, independent and quality, that make it an ideal option for venues to stand apart from the crowd.
It’s also gluten-free and vegan, which adds further to its inclusivity.
Harmony Helles is available in 30L Keg and 330ml Can. To join the PK Choir and sing in harmony with us, you can order online or through the trade store