Old Cannon Brewery in Bury St Edmunds launch Beerexit

A Bury St Edmunds business appears to have the Brexit solution that pleases everyone: Beer.

The Old Cannon Brewery in Cannon Street has found its cask lager Beerexit to be a hit with customers since introducing it on tap last weekend. And it’s one that appeals to more than 52 per cent of customers.

Manager Craig Nichols said he doesn’t mind if its drinkers voted to leave or remain in the 2016 referendum, as long as they are 18 or over.

“We wanted to brew another beer and thought ‘why not’ to Beerexit, because it is topical and a talking point,” he said. “It’s all dragging on so long, this is something to take people’s minds off it.

“We have had such a good response so far, people are coming in and talking about it all the time. On Saturday, we finished the barrel.”

The four per cent beer will soon be available in bottle form and is, perhaps ironically, brewed with a European-style lager malt. On tap, it carries the message ‘not bitter, just hopping mad’.

St Edmundsbury residents voted to leave the European Union in the 2016 referendum and Beerexit’s launch is timely with Parliament locked in negotiations ahead of the expected departure on March 29.

The announcement of the lager led to jokes online that Beerexit would be expensive and to the ultimate detriment of the drinker.

But Mr Nichols says the drink has the power to unite in uncertain times.

He added: “I don’t think it matters if you are a remainer or a Brexiter. It’s a beer that is good for everyone.

“It has a really nice taste and customers have been complimentary.”

Beerexit is the latest quirky variety from The Old Cannon – which also offers a bar and bed & breakfast. Its Twitter page teased the new variety with a message on Christmas Day, stating ‘coming soon Beerexit, whether we like it or not’.

Other beers on their tap include their prize- winning Black Pig, the summer seasonal Blonde Bombshell and the signature Old Cannon Best Bitter.

Mr Nichols and his wife Julie took over the gastro pub in August 2017 and last year launched a new menu.