Cumbrian beers pay homage to 60s cult film

A Cumbrian brewery is raising a glass to two of the most notorious boozers in cinema with a series of brews inspired by the cult classic Withnail and I.

The Eden Brewery in north west England, which has its home near Penrith (not too far from the actual site of Uncle Monty's cottage at Sleddale Hall), has produced a series of beers with names linked to the 1986 film.

The four beers are named Antifreeze, RLF (Ronson Lighter Fluid), Revenge and Here Hare Beer and will be available this month. As well as being packed with flavour, all four beers pack a hefty punch with strengths ranging from 5.3% to 9.1%.

The beers have a range of flavours created using some of the finest hops available and fresh raspberries are even used to give the RLF a unique fruity flavour.

Each beer's label is complete with an apposite line from the film's oft quoted script, which details the ragged adventures of a pair of "resting" actors who travel from sixties London to take a holiday in the Lake District.

Brewer Jason Hill said he and business partner Stephen Mitchell had been inspired to create the beers after a long love affair with the film: "It is such a classic and probably one of the most famous and - in my opinion - the best films made in the Lakes.”

"We have both loved the film since we were young and couldn't think of a better way to pay homage than naming some delicious beers after some of the props, characters and events that feature in it.

"Obviously we are not trying to encourage anyone to actually drink lighter fuel or antifreeze! The names are just a light-hearted reference to a well-loved classic and I think people will appreciate that."

Eden Brewery is one of the newest of Cumbria's many independent breweries, being established in October 2011. Eden's beers (which include Eden Best, Eden Gold, First Emperor, Eden Fuggle and Dark Knight) have proved popular in Cumbria and further afield since the brewery began production in March 2012.

11 November 2013 - Felicity Murray The Drinks Report, editor