Great Newsome Brewery launch Old Massey to help FCN

East Yorkshire based Great Newsome Brewery have launched a new beer which will help raise funds for a farming charity.

The award winning brewery will donate 5p from the sale of each bottle of Old Fergie, which was released this month, to the Farming Community Network (FCN).

The brewery, which itself is a family farm diversification, regularly pays homage to its agricultural roots with many of its most popular beers named after old farming terms including Sleck Dust and Yan Tan Tethera.  The latest beer’s name and artwork refer to a specific Massey Ferguson 35 that has been in the family’s service for around half a century. 

Matthew Hodgson, founder of Great Newsome said: “We’re a family of farmers, so being able to create a beer that can help to raise money for such a great cause that’s very close to all of us is wonderful.  We know first-hand that the industry is full of pitfalls and challenges, both professional and deeply personal and we’re proud to be working with such a kind-hearted, compassionate charity. I hope we can help make a real difference.” 

The Farming Community Network are a voluntary organisation and charity offering confidential support and guidance for farmers and their families via a free national helpline.  Operated by volunteers who understand farming life, over 6,000 people a year benefit from FCN’s support for both personal and business-related issues.

The brewery itself has faced a number of challenges over the last 12 months due to the coronavirus pandemic and lockdown with many of their stockists closing.  The team moved quickly to introduce doorstep deliveries to their customers last spring and summer and were able to expand their online sales considerably and also successfully introduced their first gluten free beer to their range.

The farms resilience and ability to successfully adapt to ever changing circumstances was recognised at the end of 2020 when Great Newsome Farm, the farm which the brewery is part of, were awarded Family Farm of the Year at the prestigious 2020 British Farming Awards who praised the businesses innovative approach to promoting their products through social media and webinars and introducing different revenue streams.

A classic 4.4% northern English brown ale, Old Fergie features a hearty blend of toffee, chocolate and biscuit flavours from the carefully chosen British malts and is available to buy online now at www.greatnewsomebrewery.co.uk in 12 bottle cases 

For more information on the Farming Community Network visit their website www.fcn.org.uk.