The two new brews have been inspired by the year of the brewery’s founding and encompass popular culture imagery from 1978.
Invader
Space Invader was released in 1978 and Butcombe claimed it was the “arcade game that changed the world” thanks to its iconic game play and design.
The brewery wanted to celebrate the “game-changer” by creating a beer that is a classic in its own right.
Cool fermented and conditioned cold for longer, Invader is a strong and malty lager with a light amber colour and sweet, malt, biscuit character.
Butcombe said the clean ferment has ensured a crisp yet dry finish with soft and spicy Germand hop undertones.
Forty Two
In 1978, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy revealed the answer to the ultimate, question of life, the universe and everything was the number 42 and to celebrate this, Butcombe has released Forty Two.
Forty Two is “black as the space in the glass” but has no burnt malt astringency and is packed full of Galaxy hops with roasted and caramel characters to balance the hopping rate of this sessionable ale.
Butcombe Brewing Co managing director Geraint Williams highlighted the heritage of the brand with the 1978 range being created in homage to the year of the brewery’s birth.
He added: “These new beers give us a chance to be creative and experiment with brewing outside of our classic range.
“Invader and Forty Two will allow us to access new markets and showcase our craft credentials.
“Our decision to create these craft beers has been driven by a consumer demand for fresh concepts in beer style as well as design.
“As drinkers move away from bland homogenised beer, towards craft brews, they are looking for beers that connect with their lives.”