Theakston launches Old Peculier ‘Beer Spirit’

After nearly 200 years, iconic Yorkshire brewery T&R Theakston has distilled its first ‘Beer Spirit’ with the launch of ‘Theakston Spirit of Old Peculier’, capturing the rich characteristics of its legendary Old Peculier beer.

Theakston Spirit of Old Peculier is a pale gold coloured, beautifully smooth, well balanced, and mellow 40% proof ‘Beer Spirit’ featuring subtle hints of cherry and banana. It has added vanilla notes thanks to an infusion of oak shavings from its cooperage in Masham, (which still crafts wooden casks for its beers), all perfectly encapsulating the characteristic of Old Peculier itself.

Available in in 70cl bottles, it can be bought from Theakston’s online shop and at its Black Bull In Paradise Visitor Centre in Masham.

Whilst more famous for its distinctive beers, the launch of this beer spirit allows Theakston to continue its long tradition of producing new and innovative drinks. Theakston Spirit of Old Peculier was tested with consumers at its Visitor Centre ahead of its launch.

Commenting on the launch, Simon Theakston, joint managing director said: “Until now we’ve been very happy to concentrate almost exclusively on beer, although at various times in the past we have also developed other drinks. Whilst the world of spirits has always intrigued us, we have so far watched from the side lines with great interest and have often wondered what would happen if we distilled some of our famous Old Peculier ourselves. We are absolutely thrilled with the outcome.

“And how should we drink it? Well however you would like to really! It’s a beer spirit with its own very special characteristics but our recommendation is to drink it as you would prefer to drink any other dark spirit of your choice – neat, on ice, with a drop of water to release the full subtlety of its flavours, or long with a mixer.

“Our favourite combination is to drink Theakston Spirit of Old Peculier mixed with Fever Tree Spiced Orange Ginger Ale, ice and a slice of orange. We know this will be very popular with our customers.”