Found in the ‘Living off the Land’ display cabinet in the museum, this bottle of hoppy, straw-coloured ale named after the local landmark at Foxton Locks won the Bronze Award in the Best Bitter category in the Champion Beer of Great Britain Awards in 2014. Brewed at the Langton Brewery since 2004, it uses a North American hop called ‘Amarillo’ which is only grown on six farms in America. Inclined Plane is now the single most successful beer produced by Langton’s outselling any of their other beers three to one.
Beer has been an important part of rural life in Britain for many centuries. Besides being one of the staple drinks until improvements were made to the water supply, wouldn’t you really appreciate that refreshing pint after toiling all day in the fields under a hot sun? Before commercial breweries dominated the production of beers and ciders most people drank what was brewed locally.
After almost disappearing, small craft breweries are once again thriving, with their ales tailored to local tastes and celebrating their local communities. The Langton Brewery is just one great example and most of their fifty plus brews are named after aspects of rural life.
