New brew Tropic’ull will have a launch party to introduce it
Henry Beercock with a can of Tropic’ull(Image: Schmaltz Brew Co)
‘It’s local and it’s made with love.” Those are the passionate words of a Hull man who, with his wife, has spent more than a year coming up with a brand-new brew for the city.
Henry and Lauren Beercock have set about making Hull’s first ever alcohol-free beer. To bring Tropic’ull into being, they have set up Schmaltz Brew Co and they hope after a launch party later this month that lots of people have a thirst for the tasty new drink.
Henry said: “We have been busy working on this for over a year now and the time is finally here to share it with you all. We hope you like it as much as we do. We almost wanted it to be the Chip Spice of alcohol-free beers,” said Henry. “It’s for the people of Hull.”
It was Henry’s own journey to sobriety that first got him thinking about alcohol-free beer and the ranges that were available. “I thought, why can’t Hull have its own?”
The couple set about seeking advice about beer recipes, wanting to develop a tropical IPA that still said “beer” when it was tasted and not fruity “pop”. “We’re really pleased with it,” said Henry.
“We’ve quietly worked away in the background for over a year and it’s all been building up towards this. It’s not overly heavy on hops and still a bit fruity – we had to find just the right balance.
“Our taste profiles changed over the course of developing Tropic’ull. Because I’ve not had a drink for so long I’ve not been comparing it to an alcoholic version.”
The launch party for Tropic’ull will take place at Atom Bar Hull, in Princes Avenue, on Wednesday, August 26, from 6.30pm. It is free to attend but people need to reserve a spot via Eventbrite as places are limited.
The party will include street food with a twist from the Pattie Shack and drinks will obviously include Tropic’ull, in cans or (for the first time that night) on draught. “We understand people like choice so there will be a great range of other craft beers available during the evening, with alcoholic or low-alcohol options available,” said Henry.
“This isn’t just about beer, it’s about connection and those moments that make you want to stay longer. I want this to be a drink that stands out and that people enjoy.
“It might be they are the designated driver for the night, or they are pregnant, and they are looking for an alcohol-free alternative. If they see this is locally brewed by a husband-and-wife from Hull then it might be the reason they choose it.”
The Tropic’ull branding also has a fun element to it, the design being a nod to some “Hullisms” and even the traditional tattoos that Henry has for a “nostalgic” and “playful” edge so it is noticeably Hull. “I’ve never felt more connected to the people of Hull than I do right now,” said Henry, who will be out on the road himself delivering Schmaltz Brew Co supplies.
“I’d love the people of Hull to get behind it; it’s something we believe in and we hope other people do too. It’s been created for them.
“We’re a bit nervous but excited too to be part of this journey. There’s no blueprint; we’re excited to be Hull’s first.”
Henry may already be known in Hull for his @Alcohullfree initiative, organising social events without the pressure to drink as a route to better physical and mental health, following his own experiences. He has also developed a local strand of The Empty Chairs initiative, a nationwide movement focused on tackling loneliness and raising awareness of mental health.
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