If the UK's lockdown was a game of bingo, then anyone with a hand full of Zoom quizzes, banana bread, novelty alcohol and OMG WTF political moments would have a winning card in their hands. Now the latter pair on the list have gotten married, creating one of the funniest (and most enjoyable) creations in this whole mess. Yes, Brewdog is selling Barnard Castle Eye Test beer, and whether you love the brand or hate it, that 's the point.
The company describes the beer as a "short-sighted big story beer." This is a New England Old Fashioned IPA at 6%, best enjoyed slowly. It is dry hopped and is said to have flavors of mango, pineapple and lime. Perfect for enjoying after a long summer drive. Packs of 12 are priced at £16.95 and all profits will be used to fund the production of hand sanitiser for the NHS and healthcare charities.
The name of Brewdog's new wine is, of course, a reference to the recent scandal involving Dominic Cummings, senior adviser to British Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Cummings is best known as the mastermind behind not only the Brexit campaign but also the Conservative government's landslide victory in the last British general election. He is credited with coining the three-word slogans "Get Brexit Done" and "Take Back Control". Sadly, a recent decision to 'drive to Durham' was a clear breach of lockdown rules, sparking a backlash from the public and MPs on both sides of the aisle.
Barnard Castle Eye Test Brewdog
Brewdog's take on the whole debacle is pretty interesting, but let's be honest, the brewmasters themselves haven't been entirely without controversy over the years. The Barnard Castle Eye Test isn't the company's first foray into satire, but we're hoping this one is more successful than their 2018 limited-edition Pink IPA, which was supposed to support "causes fighting gender inequality." Suffice it to say, the marketing surrounding pink IPA (which Brewdog calls a "girl beer") failed to meet the needs of many consumers.
The company also faced criticism recently when it started producing hand sanitizer, with people accusing it of trying to cash in on the pandemic. As a result, Brewdog director James Watt had to step in to clarify: "To be clear, we are not selling this disinfectant. We are giving it away to those who need it."
