Iconic beer to return to pub

A unique hand crafted locally produced draught beer is being revived to mark the upcoming 50th anniversary of the Saddleworth Morris Men.

Tom Phelan from Wolf Brewery at the Church Inn, Uppermill, and Jonny Frankell of Pennine Gypsy Brewing, are in collaboration to resurrect a fabled Saddleworth Rushcart beer, Shaftbender.  

This week they begin testing brewing the beer in the lead up to the Morrismen’s 50th Rushcart celebrations in August. 

Jonny, himself a Morris man, said: “The beer was originally designed by Julian Taylor, innkeeper of the Church Inn, and brewed by Pete Percival back in the 1990’s. Richard Hankinson, then squire of the Morrismen, came up with the name. 

“The whole concept of the beer was that it needed to be something a little different. As a beer it’s hard to describe… it’s not like a bitter or a stout.  

“It’s more like an English old ale, but it did pack a punch and comes in at five ABV. It’s got quite a Ruby dark hue with it and of course, being up North, it’s got a proper head. 

“Orginally, Shaftbender did last a few years but faded out with the changing habits of drinking beer. Now it just seems an appropriate time to bring it back with Tom and myself at the helm this time. 

“The beer shouldn’t be too difficult to replicate as we are using their same recipe, the same water, the same malt and hops and hopefully it will be well up and ready for the Rushcart celebration in August. We do want to make it sensibly priced and cracking pint.” 

He added: “And with the Morris anniversary it couldn’t come at a better time this week we have just taken on eight new lads to the Morris side. 

“It'll be great to rekindle the recipe and to brew it back where it all began.”