England cricket star Graeme Swann brews beer in Harold Larwood’s honour

Nottinghamshire and England spinner Graeme Swann has worked with brewers from Nottingham-based Castle Rock Brewery to create the Harold Larwood beer.

Swann, who referred to the beer as his ‘baby’, launched the 40-barrel brew at the Larwood and Voce pub near the Trent Bridge cricket ground in West Bridgford on 22nd January.

On 7th January, Graeme paid a visit to the brewery where he donned a pair of rubber gloves and wellington boots and helped to brew his beer.

He was invited to add hops to the Harold Larwood brew at a precise time under the direction of assistant brewer John Edger.

Six days later, the ale was ready for the cask and distribution to pubs across Nottinghamshire, including the Larwood and Voce and Castle Rock pubs.

The ale, which has been described by the firm as ‘a well balanced stout with pure arabica coffee beans’ is one of four planned for this year which celebrate well-known people from around Nottinghamshire as part of the brewery’s Nottinghamian Celebration Ales series.

Others who celebrated in the series include Deep Purple drummer Ian Paice, Richard Beckinsale who starred in Porridge and Stewart Adams who created ibuprofen.