The explosion in micro-brewed craft beers has prompted two friends to launch a range of meat snacks designed for enjoying with beer in a bar or pub.
The Cleaver & Keg snacks are made with 100% British meat that is salt cured, air-dried and richly-spiced to high standards. They comprise Chorizo Slices, Salami Slices, Strips O’Beef and Hot Strips O’Beef.
They have been created by two old school friends, Dan Searle who runs craft beer-focused pubs in Norfolk, and Sean Cannon, an expert in the production and sale of fine charcuterie at leading supplier Cannon & Cannon.
Dan said: “The reason we go to the pub has changed. It is no longer the place to down cheap booze in a slightly ropey environment. It is now the place to experience new and exciting flavours in an aspirational setting.
“We thought it was a crying shame that the default bar snack was a packet of crisps or peanuts. We didn’t think that that was good enough for people who really care about their pint – us included – and wanted to give the pub-goers of Great Britain the snack they deserve.”
Chorizo Slices are made from rich and spicy 100% lean British pork, perfectly portioned into pop-them-in-your-mouth pieces. A rye IPA or an amber ale sets the smoky paprika, spices, herbs and chilli kick off nicely.
Salami Slices are herby little bites of lean air-dried 100% British pork. Blended with a subtle mix of fennel seed and spices, it is traditionally cured and air-dried and complements a pint of pale ale.
Strips O’Beef are warmly spiced little slivers of 100% British beef silverside. The beef is marinated in a mix of coriander seeds, white pepper and nutmeg and then cured, hung, air-dried and thinly sliced. A decent porter or black IPA sets it off nicely.
Hot Strips O’Beef are hot and spicy little slivers of 100% British beef silverside. Like the Strips O’Beef, it is marinated in coriander seeds, white pepper and nutmeg but with the added kick of Yorkshire Chilli jam. Pair it with a well-hopped and decent-strength IPA or even a sour beer.
Originally developed under the Meat Merchants name, the Cleaver & Keg range is available for direct sale. Each has a recommended retail price of £2.50 and has an ambient shelf life of three months.
