2 days ago
On this day: Elvington brewery wins House of Commons contract
On this day in 2015, the York Press reported that a beer brewed near York would be served in the corridors of power.
Elvington-based Hop Studio secured a contract to supply 50,000 bottles of its 'Porter' beer to the House of Commons over two years.
The beer was to go on sale in three House of Commons shops, and in the House of Commons' catering facilities, in specially-designed labels under the name 'Treason.'
Dave Shaw, founder and owner of the brewery, said the name would create a link to Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder Plot, completing the link to York.
Mr Shaw said: "We're really happy with it.
The beer was to be specially branded as 'Treason,' in a nod to the Gunpowder Plot and to York-born Guy Fawkes
"It was advertised as a contract, and it was a public sector tender, so quite a complicated process.
"We did a pitch at the beginning of June and designed some labels.
"We picked three beers and they have selected one.
"We will brew it in August to get it into their shops for mid-October, then there is also a Christmas fair they do in November, and a tasting with MPs at the beginning of December.
"It was advertised nationally, so I imagine breweries from all over the country have a go.
"They whittled it down to five, which meant we went to pitch in the Palace of Westminster and as a result we are one of two supplying the beers.
"The other is Windsor and Eton, who are supplying two.
"We're delighted really.
"It's a good prestigious contract.
"It will be co-branded as Hop Studio and the House of Commons, and it's quite a good marketing opportunity, showing that we can do these sorts of contracts."
At the original time of reporting in 2015, the beer was brewed in an industrial unit off York Road in Elvington, and included vanilla in its recipe.
