Cheers: Brixton-born New York brewer’s 75th Windrush anniversary brew – complete with Caribbean spices
A Brixton-born craft beer brewer in New York has created a Windrush-inspired smoked lager, complete with Caribbean spices, to celebrate next month’s 75th anniversary - and is donating part of sales to the organisation which is helping commemorate the contribution of the Windrush generation.
Robyn Gustard-Weise, 30, who was born in Brixton of Jamaican heritage before moving to Brooklyn as a child, brews the beer with Pilsner and beechwood smoked malts, which is conditioned for several weeks before a blend of Caribbean spices are combined to create a crisp, savoury and refreshing beer.
And she says the inspiration for her Windrush 75 lager is her family who came from Jamaica to London in the 1960s, particularly her grandmother, who she describes as a life-long epicurean.
Robyn explained: ‘Grandma Madge was from Morant Bay in Jamaica and became a well-respected resident of the Brixton and Herne Hill community. I can recall how any day at her home could be an occasion for rhubarb and apple crumble with scratch-made custard, freshly boiled bagels from East London, charcuterie from the Harrods Food Hall and homemade oxtail.
‘Home life remained Jamaican and British while growing up in New York, and Sunday dinners were a regular occasion for Guinness punch, sorrel, puddings and crumbles.
Robyn is now assistant brewer for Wild East Brewing Company in Brooklyn and has her own company, Kicks and Kegs, specialising in the creative design of craft beer with content creation and events.
She has partnered with a London brewery to brew and package the beer for the UK, and has agreed to donate £1 per can sold at a special Windrush event on the Blackhorse Beer Mile in Walthamstow, London E17, on Saturday 24 June - two days after the 75th anniversary of the HMT Empire Windrush first arriving in this country.
It was 22 June 1948 when the ship docked at Tilbury in Essex, bringing 500 passengers from the Caribbean, in a moment that symbolises the start of post-war Commonwealth migration to Britain and the shift towards the multi-ethnic society of Britain today.
The £1 donation per can will go to The Windrush 75 network, which is helping bring organisations together to help celebrate the occasion - described as a ‘Diamond Jubilee for modern, diverse Britain’.
Patrick Vernon, Convenor of the Windrush 75 network, said: ‘The 75th anniversary of Windrush is a moment for Britain to celebrate – and Windrush 75 lager is the perfect accompaniment.’
Robyn added: ‘I've been enjoying Smoked Lagers for years and I'm not the first brewer to add pepper to a beer. The savoury smoke from the beer paired with the heat from the spices reminded me of jerk.
‘The dry herbs and spices in jerk seasoning complimented the smoke in the beer and paired beautifully with the snappy, crisp, finish of a Helles-style lager.’
Cans are available at Supercute Brixton Market Bar, including a launch event on Thursday 22 June, and Windrushbay.com, while Robyn can be contacted for wholesales enquiries at sales@avenueandroadbeersupply.co.uk.