Limited-edition Ben Nevis Beer costs a grand a bottle
HOLBECK-BORN independent brewers Northern Monk are reaching for a different type of market by launching the UK’s most expensive beer. The Ben Nevis Beer is a 11% ABV Barrel Aged Imperial Stout. Only 50 bottles are available – at a whopping £1,000 per 330ml bottle.
The Ben Nevis Beer was created at the summit of the UK’s biggest mountain, making it the highest altitude brew in British history
But as well as enjoying the privilege of tasting this unique brew, those lucky enough to get their hands on one will be contributing to the fantastic work of the For The North Foundation. Every penny of the proceeds will be donated to the funding scheme, which was launched by Northern Monk in September to give £5,000 grants to projects, businesses and charities that are ‘designed to benefit the North, its people and its communities’ and reduce environmental impact across the North.
But why is it so pricey?
The Ben Nevis Beer was created at the summit of the UK’s biggest mountain, making it the highest altitude brew in British history. A team of four ‘Monks’ hiked the 4,400 feet to the top of the peak in conditions described as 'gruelling' back in August, lugging the full brew kit of 90kg of equipment with them. They used ingredients foraged from the mountain itself, including blaeberries (or bilberries) and the famous ‘Dew of Ben Nevis’ water, then carried the beer back down. It has since spent two months ageing in a whisky barrel donated by the Ben Nevis Whisky Distillery in Fort William, and has just been released for sale.
Since starting out in one of the Monks’ parent’s cellars in 2013, the Northern Monk brewery has grown, maintaining the Old Flax Store site in a Grade II-listed mill it moved to in October 2014 and a new head office in Sydenham Road. It also has a branch in Manchester’s Northern Quarter, and is one of the North’s fastest growing drinks companies. Community, collaboration and creating the best beer experiences in the world are at the core of Northern Monk’s business, and the indie brewers regularly collaborate nationally and internationally to help strengthen the North for positive change.
Northern Monk founder and one of the high-altitude expedition members Russell Bisset said: “This has been a groundbreaking project to be a part of. When we launched the For The North Foundation, our intention was to create pieces of high-impact activity that will raise awareness and encourage donations. Brewing the UK’s highest altitude beer at the summit of Ben Nevis seemed like a pretty good place to start! We’re going to be able to make a real difference to our communities, and our environment. We’ll be announcing the first recipient of our first For the North Foundation grant before the end of November.”
Find out more about the For The North Foundation and how to purchase a bottle of Ben Nevis Beer here.
