Beer Lover’s Guide: Seven Reasons to Put Asquith 1965 in Your Fridge – I’m a huge beer fan. There, I’ve said it. And while my fridge may contain all sorts of things, there is always room for a couple of beers on chill. I like trying different styles, discovering new breweries and, most importantly, finding a beer that I’d happily buy again.
So, when I was asked to try the new Asquith 1965 range at Asda, I was rather happy to take on the challenge. There are seven beers and ciders in the collection, covering everything from lager and bitter to hazy IPA, stout and heritage cider – and, having worked my way through the range, I’d happily recommend it to other beer fans.
What particularly caught my attention is that this isn’t simply a collection of cheap supermarket beers. Asquith 1965 has brought together some genuinely interesting brewing partners and a surprisingly broad selection of styles, with the added attraction of prices that won’t make you think twice about popping a few cans in the trolley.
So, what’s in the fridge?
Asquith 1965 Premium Lager – 5%
Let’s start with the familiar. This is a traditional world lager, brewed with Damm at Eagle Brewery, and at 5% it has enough character to make it more interesting than your standard everyday lager.
It’s the sort of beer I’d happily have properly chilled and ready for when friends arrive – uncomplicated, refreshing and very easy to drink.
And the price is hard to ignore: £5 for four 440ml cans or £10 for ten.
Heritage Orchard Cider – 6.8%
Technically we’re moving away from beer here, but I’m including it because it deserves its place in the collection.
Made by Westons, with apples sourced from within 40 miles of its mill, this is a 100% apple juice cider made by fifth-generation cider maker Guy Lawrence.
At 6.8%, it’s certainly got a bit more oomph than some of the lighter ciders around, while the heritage-style approach gives it plenty of fruity character. If you’re a cider drinker rather than a beer drinker, this is the one I’d be putting in your basket.
It’s £5 for four 440ml cans or £10 for ten.
Irish Nitro Stout – 4.1%
Now we’re getting into my sort of territory.
The Irish Nitro Stout comes from Siren Craft Brew, the brewery behind Broken Dream, which was named Champion Beer of Britain at the 2018 Great British Beer Festival.
This is a rich, satisfying Irish-style stout at 4.1%, with the smoothness you’d expect from a nitro beer. It’s the sort of stout that works particularly well when you want something with flavour without necessarily wanting a high-strength beer.
And again, the price makes it very accessible: £5 for four cans or £10 for eight.
Break the Cycle Session IPA – 4.3%
This one comes with a great little piece of history.
Circuit Break is a 4.3% Session IPA brewed by Kirkstall Brewery in Leeds, whose brewery is housed in a former Associated Dairies warehouse – Associated Dairies being the business that would eventually become Asda.
So, there’s a rather lovely connection between the beer and Asda’s own history.
It’s also a good choice if you like an IPA but don’t necessarily want something heavy or high in alcohol. At 4.3%, it’s very much a session beer – made for enjoying more than one.
It’s £2.50 a 440ml can, and it’s also included in the 4 for 3 offers, meaning four cans currently work out at £7.50.
Keep Rollin’ Hazy IPA – 4.8%
If you’re getting into craft beer, hazy IPAs are a good place to explore, and Keep Rolling comes from Croatia’s The Garden Brewery.
At 4.8%, it’s crisp and easy drinking, with that characteristic hazy appearance and plenty of hop flavour without becoming overwhelming.
I like the fact that Asda is giving shoppers the chance to try something from a brewery they might not otherwise come across. In fact, Asda says it is the only major UK retailer stocking The Garden Brewery’s beers.
It’s £2.50 for a 440ml can, making it a relatively inexpensive way to try something a little different.
Stormy Maine New England IPA– 5.6%
If you’re already a craft beer fan, this is probably one you’ll want to investigate.
Also brewed by The Garden Brewery, Stormy Maine takes things up to 5.6% and delivers the juicy, hop-forward style you’d expect from a New England IPA.
It’s bigger and more characterful than the Keep Rolling, so if you’re looking for something with a little more punch, this would be my pick from the two.
Again, it’s £2.50 for a 440ml can.
Session Best Bitter – 3.4%
And finally, something for the traditionalists.
The Session Best Bitter comes from Ossett Brewery in Yorkshire and, at just 3.4%, is a reminder that you don’t need a high ABV to have an enjoyable beer.
There’s something rather reassuring about a good bitter. It’s a style that has been part of British pub culture for generations, and this brings that traditional brewing expertise into the Asquith collection.
Beer without the premium price tag
What I like about the Asquith 1965 range is the variety. You could quite easily pick up a traditional lager for Friday night, a stout for a cosy evening, a hazy IPA when you fancy something hoppier and a bitter when you want to go back to basics.
And you don’t have to spend a fortune experimenting.
The range starts at £2.50 per product, with individual cans working out at £1 when buying selected multipacks, while the 4 for 3 offer makes it even easier to try several styles.
For someone like me, who genuinely enjoys trying different beers, that’s the fun part. Rather than committing to a whole case of something you’ve never tasted, you can mix things up and find your own favourite.
I’ve tried all seven, and I would happily recommend the range to fellow beer fans. Whether you’re a traditional lager drinker or already have a fridge full of craft beer, there should be something here worth reaching for.
As for me? I’m off to make sure there’s room in the fridge. Just in case.
The Asquith 1965 range is available exclusively at Asda, in stores and online.
Poppy Watt