Cheers! Brewery bottles two of its popular cask ales

A brewery has bottled two of its popular cask beers for the first time amid continued uncertainty over when pubs will finally reopen.

Maverick and Medusa are the latest bottled beers to be launched by Double Maxim producer Maxim Brewery.

Maverick,namedafterfilm star Tom Cruise’s character in 1980s movie Top Gun, is a 4.6% American Brown Ale while Medusaisa5.6%hoppyIndian Pale Ale (IPA).

Mark Anderson, the Sunderland brewery’s managing director and a Top Gun fan, said: “Maverick has a lot of character, a bit like Maverick himself, and is a little like what the Americans would make as our Double Maxim.

"ThedifferenceisMaverick contrasts with Double Maxim in that it has a bitter rather than a sweet taste.

"Medusa won’t turn you to stone and has proved popular when we did it in cask.”

After losing around two thirds of its trade through pub closuresduringthepandemic, the brewery has had to largely rely on the bottled market since March last year.

Mr Anderson said: “We are tryingtogivepeoplesomething differentwhilelockdownisstill on.

"Although we are gradually moving out of lockdown, a lot of people will still want to drink at home and pretty soon they should be able to meet in gardens for a drink when the weather starts to get better.”

While Maxim Brewery has started to receive inquiries for itscaskales,MrAndersondoes not expect to begin taking orders until pubs know for certain that they can reopen from April 12.

Maverick and Medusa willbeavailableinbottlesfrom this weekend at the brewery’s drive through takeaway service in Gadwall Road, Rainton Bridge, near Houghton.