Food

People’s Captain Beer

On Wednesday I attended a zoom tasting of People’s Captain beer and it was an incredibly enjoyable experience.

People’s Captain are changing the game when it comes to craft beer. The company was founded by professional rugby player, Greg Bateman, who currently plays for the Newport Gwent Dragons. The brand is centred on an ethos of bringing people together over a great selection of craft brews.

In 2019, Greg addressed his personal battle with depression on social media, and candidly opened up about his mental health struggles. His openness surrounding what is a fairly taboo subject in rugby has opened the door for others to engage in conversation, and seek help for mental health issues.

The idea for People’s Captain was first ignited when Greg spoke about his turmoil to a friend over a drink. It was from chatting openly that he set his sights on producing craft beer, that not only tastes great, but also builds something strong, positive and long-lasting that really makes lives better. This is great as despite the stigma slowly disappearing it is still difficult for people to want to talk about their own mental health issues and it is sometimes easier chatting about them over a drink (in moderation of course). 

Teaming up with two close friends to launch People’s Captain, Greg also enlisted street artist Nathan Bowen to design the artwork for the cans. It is great artwork, the islander design is my favourite! The beers are available for nationwide delivery which is great.

The core-range features 5 full-flavoured, sessional beers:

– Legend (4.2% ABV Session APA) The signature core hero. This is an American pale ale you won’t forget. With a body to die for, the super citrus kick keeps it refreshing enough to keep going back for more.

– Islander (5.5%, NEPA) Inspired by stories of the pacific islands with genuine tropical flavours, a classic New England American Pale. Islander is unfiltered to leave all the goodness in which also gives it the classic hazy body that craft drinkers love.

– Short & Stout (5.0%, Milk Stout) A Milk Stout with a twist. Using less darkly roasted malt and using the natural sweetness of caramel and lactose to give a beautiful sweet stout. Back hopped with mosaic will leave you with a malty biscuit based and blueberry on the nose.

– Stereotype (4.5%, Lager) Greg wanted to brew an ‘English’ style lager, unlike a Pilsner which requires far more pressure to allow the Hellertau hops to do their work. The result provides a very crisp, refreshing, earthy flavour with subtle nectar fruits on the nose.

– ’Tis the Saison (5.0%, Saison) This is a traditional French Saison using Belle Saison wild yeast. This gives a very dry, crisp and more spicy/herbaceous than floral. The perfect seasonal changing brew.

The tasting was a lot of fun and helped introduce me deeper into the world of beers. I’m generally a gin, cider or wine drinker so I’m always excited when I find a beer I can enjoy. I really did enjoy the Lager and it was very easy to drink. One that I can definitely see myself ordering at a pub when they open!

As an advocate of positive mental health, Greg incorporated People’s Captain to support its very own charity, The People’s Captain Foundation. The charity will take a % of the sales to raise £1million to help boost Britain’s mental health as well as provide brave and brilliant initiatives for those that need it most.

So not only will you get to experience great beer, you’ll be supporting a great cause. Check out the beer club and range online now.

Website: www.peoplescaptain.co.uk

Instagram: @peoplescaptain