New range taps into growing demand for choice, flavour and more distinctive beers

Yorkshire-based independent brewer Vocation Brewery is helping pubs and bars make the most of the summer trading season with a new range of bold and flavourful beers. Available on draught in keg format, the new beers are crafted to help venues differentiate their offer and drive trade-up.

Rolling out from May and throughout the summer months, the lineup spans a mix of refreshing, sessionable styles and more expressive, hop-forward beers – giving operators the flexibility to cater to a wide range of tastes and occasions.

“Summer is a key moment for pubs, with longer days, footfall-driving sports fixtures and more frequent social occasions,” says Chris Mitchell, Marketing Manager at Vocation Brewery.

“As both a brewer and an operator of our own Vocation & Co. bars, we see first-hand how expectations are shifting. Drinkers are balancing moderation with a willingness to trade up – they want beers that feel worth the spend.

“Seasonal beers play an important role here, and independent brewers can really add value by bringing innovation, flavour and variety. Limited-edition options create a sense of occasion, get people talking and encourage trial, while also giving pubs an opportunity to introduce something new and differentiate their offer.”

Research from the latest SIBA/YouGov survey* reinforces this opportunity, with eight out of 10 beer drinkers and 89% of 18–24 year-olds saying it is important for pubs to offer a range of beers from independent breweries, alongside global brands.

Vocation Brewery’s own Beer Census** reveals that 79% of consumers would visit the pub more often if there was a better selection of beers on tap, while 81% say they would pay slightly more for a pint if pubs offered more variety – reinforcing the role that choice and discovery now play in driving footfall and repeat visits.

Available in 30L kegs, the new range spans a broad mix of styles suited to summer occasions and key trading opportunities.

EXPRESSIVE & HOP-FORWARD STYLES

Available now, these beers are designed to drive trade-up by offering bold, flavour-forward options for drinkers looking to explore beyond more familiar styles:

• The Surrealist (5.5% ABV Belgian Witbier): A fresh, Belgian-style witbier with a soft, gently rounded body. It offers bright citrus from orange peel alongside coriander, layered with grapefruit, lime and subtle herbal hop character. Fermented with classic Belgian yeast for delicate clove and bubblegum nuances, it finishes crisp, light and refreshing.
• Dry Humour (6% ABV Brut IPA): A bright, bone-dry Brut IPA with a crisp, sparkling finish and a sharp gooseberry twist. Nelson Sauvin, Hallertau Blanc and Citra hops bring white wine character, citrus and soft tropical notes, while fresh gooseberry adds a vibrant summer zing.
• Tiger Trail (5.5% ABV India Pale Lager): A bright India Pale Lager with a clean, crisp malt base that lets the hops shine. Fermented with classic lager yeast, it stays sharp and refreshing, while a dry hop of Mosaic, El Dorado and Citra delivers bold mango, pineapple and citrus character, with a clean, balanced finish.
• The Lure (6% ABV NEIPA): A hazy New England IPA built on a pale malt base, delivering gentle bready honey notes and a smooth, creamy mouthfeel. Mosaic, Citra and Galaxy hops bring waves of tropical fruit and a subtle resinous edge, balanced by bright grapefruit and zesty lime.

SESSIONABLE & LOWER ABV BEERS

Available from June, these easy-drinking styles balance lower ABV with vibrant hop character, making them well suited to extended social occasions:

• Mini Monster (3% ABV Table Beer): Soft, hazy table beer bursting with tropical flavour. Light and creamy with gentle malt sweetness, bright citrus notes of grapefruit and lemon, and a juicy explosion of passionfruit, pineapple, peach and lychee. Smooth, low bitterness, easy-drinking, and packed with vibrant fruit character.
• Hop Giant (4% ABV Hazy Pale Ale): A bright, hazy pale ale built on a light extra pale malt base with wheat and oats for a smooth, creamy feel. Krush leads with juicy citrus and tropical fruit, Bru-1 adds bold stone fruit and passionfruit, while Motueka lifts the profile with fresh lime zest and ripe pineapple. Balanced and refreshing with a gentle haze and clean finish.

OCCASION-LED SUMMER RELEASES

Rolling out from June through to August, these limited-edition releases are timed to coincide with the 2026 Football World Cup (Extra Time) and International Beer Day (Kiwi Horizon & Kobo Bloom):

• Extra Time (4.8% ABV Extra Pale Ale): Bright, modern hops deliver juicy pineapple and fresh tropical fruit, while Idaho 7 hops bring soft apricot and stone fruit sweetness. Elani hops add zesty orange, tangerine and lime with hints of guava and white peach. Soft bitterness and crisp citrus lead to a crisp, refreshing and hard-working finish.
• Kiwi Horizon (4.3% Extra Pale Ale): A hazy New Zealand Extra Pale bursting with vibrant hop character. Nectaron delivers lush passionfruit and ripe peach, Riwaka brings intense lime zest and citrus oils, and Motueka lifts everything with bright lemon-lime freshness. Soft and pillowy on the palate, it rolls into waves of tropical fruit before finishing with a crisp grapefruit snap.
• Kobo Bloom (5.8% Sake Yeast IPA): An ultra pale ale fermented with sake yeast, offering a crisp finish of apple, pear and delicate hints of anise. Bursting with El Dorado, Calypso and Nelson Sauvin hops, it layers sweet pineapple, juicy watermelon and crushed green grape. Rice and chit malt lend a clean, bright palate and a surprisingly soft, silken mouthfeel.

Rob Beck, Head Brewer at Vocation Brewery, comments: “With this summer range, we’ve focused on balance and drinkability alongside flavour. Each beer is designed to stand out, but also to work in a real pub setting – whether that’s a refreshing pint in the sun, or something a bit more expressive for those looking to try something new. It’s about giving pubs a versatile lineup that works across different occasions while still delivering the bold, flavour-forward beers we’re known for.”

These new summer beers are available to pubs and bars nationwide direct from Vocation Brewery and via selected regional and national wholesalers, and will also feature across the brewery’s own Vocation & Co. bars in Manchester, Halifax, Sheffield and Hebden Bridge.