Edinburgh-based brewer Vault City has released a “Last Christmas” beer inspired by two of the 80s’ most loved creations: WHAM Bars and Wham! Yes, that legendary pop duo featuring George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley.
Scottish confectionery company McCowan’s introduced WHAM Bars in the early 1980s, and they proved to be an instant hit due to their low price and tasty recipe. At their peak, sales reached 30 million bars per year.
While sales have slowed in recent years, WHAM Bars are experiencing a resurgence as the sour beer producer has boiled down and infused the flavour of 500 Wham chew bars to brew a special Christmas beer.
After the bars are boiled, the brewer uses a modified keg as a dosing unit to infuse the beer with a zingy citric flavour and a bright pink colour.
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Vault City co-founder Steven Smith-Hay said: “This infusion method intensifies the sweetness and flavours. Each sip feels incredibly nostalgic. The notes of sharp raspberry and a fizzy tang taste just like the sour chew bar I loved growing up.”
“Our love of sour beer is almost a match for our love of 80’s music, especially a Christmas classic so this felt like the perfect pairing!”
With a festive Christmas tree on the label to get you into the holiday spirit, the 4.1% retro-inspired beverage isn’t the only Vault City creation to take beer lovers back in time.
Other nostalgic flavours include Capri Crush, Jam Roly Poly, DDF Caterpillar Cake, Iron-Brew, Rhubarb and Custard, Wagon Wheels, and Cereal Spooner Red Berry — inspired by the sweet milk at the bottom of your cereal bowl.
The popularity of sour beers has grown over the years, with iconic and unique flavours attracting new customers. Sour beer, first created in Belgium in the early 18th century, includes classic styles such as Belgian Lambics, Gueuze, German Gose, and Berliner Weisse.
Priced at £4.50 for a 440ml can, the new beer will be one of the last Christmas releases brewed in Vault City’s Portobello brewers as it prepares to move to a new home seven times its size.
At its new site at Edinburgh’s BioCampus the brewer will now be able to produce more than 10 million litres of beer per year – an increase of more than eight million – as it sets its sights on becoming the world’s largest producer of sour beer.
You can try the beer by ordering online and at The Vault City taproom in Edinburgh, The Wee Vault, which has more taps than seats and is only a brisk 2-minute walk from Haymarket train station, as well as at stockists around the UK. Check your local stockists across the UK and buy online here.
