Brewery Creates Special ‘Reserve’ Ale to Highlight County’s Natural Gems
Thursday 2nd April
Efforts to put Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust’s largest nature reserve on the map have been boosted following the launch of a new beer created by Castle Rock Brewery.
‘Idle Valley Reserve’ is the first in a series of beers created to showcase some of the Wildlife Trust’s key nature reserves and raise funds for their protection.
‘Idle Valley Reserve’ was launched at the White Horse in Barnby Moor, just a few minutes away from the Nature Reserve which shares its name. The pub, which is run by Kara Wilkinson-Holmes, regularly provides hospitality to people after they’ve visited the reserve.
Speaking at the launch of the beer Kara Wilkinson-Holmes said: “We are delighted to have been chosen to launch the beer and to be the only local stockist. Many people visit the pub on their way home after visiting the Idle Valley Nature Reserve and we are delighted to be supporting the Wildlife Trust in their efforts to protect the site”
Lewis Townsend of Castle Rock Brewery said: “It was fabulous to launch our first seasonal Wildlife Reserve beer at the White Horse in Barnby Moor. The White Horse is just a stones throw from the Idle Valley Nature Reserve and we had a great time sampling it before meeting some of the team at the reserve itself. Look out for ‘Idle Valley Reserve’ - a tasty and balanced single hop IPA with lots of citrus and fruit flavours at the White Horse and Castle Rock pubs.”
Idle Valley Reserve is the first seasonal beer in a new range linked to particular nature reserves across Nottinghamshire and joins ‘Sherwood Reserve’, a recent permanent addition to the Castle Rock range. The beers are the latest phase of a successful partnership between Castle Rock Brewery and Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust which stretches back to 2001 and the creation of the ‘Natural Selection’ – a range of beers highlighting individual species of plant and animal.
The partnership has helped generate in excess of £125,000 in direct and match funding for Wildlife Trust projects across Nottinghamshire.
Speaking on behalf of Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust, Head of Communications Erin McDaid said: “The Natural Selection beers have been a tremendous success and have helped raise awareness of the need to protect our native species. We hope the new range of beers will help raise the profile of some of the most important wildlife areas in the county and encourage more people to visit them to experience the wildlife on their doorstep”.
Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust cares for sixty seven separate wildlife areas across the county and the spectacular Idle Valley Nature Reserve, which is just outside Retford and covers an area of over 450 hectares (the size of 600 football pitches), was chosen as the first site to be highlighted because although it is the charity’s largest site, it is not as well-known as its sister site, Attenborough Nature Reserve, south of Nottingham.
“The reserve is home to a diverse range of wildlife and is recognised as one of the richest bird watching sites in the region with opportunities to see birds such as gadwall and little grebe in winter, and breeding wading birds including little ringed plover and redshank in spring and summer. You can even do a spot of bird watching from the café using a range of binoculars and telescopes for free.” said Erin McDaid.
With circular walks, a natural play area, café with stunning views over the water serving freshly cooked food, and a wildlife gift shop, Idle Valley Nature Reserve is an ideal destination for families looking for somewhere to go to see and enjoy wildlife.
Photo details:The image supplied shows (l-r) Kara Wilkinson- Holmes, owner, host and chef at the White Horse with Erin McDaid of Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust and Castle Rock’s Lewis Townsend
