ENTER Shikari are well-versed in launching albums – three to date – but the hard-core quartet visited a St Albans pub last week to launch something that was music to the ears of local beer afficionados.
The band has got together with Hackney-based Signature Brew to create its very own lager, ‘Sssnakepit’.
The beer had its St Albans debut last Thursday at The Boot, Market Place, where Enter Shikari members Rou Reynolds, Chris Batten, Rob Rolfe and Rory Clewlow were joined by family and friends.
Founder of Signature Brew Sam McGregor explained that the firm created custom-made brews in collaboration with musicians.
Other Signature beers include Remedy by Professor Green and Mammoth by Dry the River.
The lager shares its name – Sssnakepit – with a single on the band’s third album, A Flash Flood of Colour.
Sam said: “Enter Shikari had the longest tasting session we have ever had. They all had very different, strong opinions on what they liked in a beer. They spent about four-and-a-half-hours trying 26 beers.
“We managed to form a shortlist. These guys were good to work with and really got involved.”
The band managed to settle on an American hop lager, with a “Rambo-esque punch” courtesy of grapefruit-style flavours.
Rory explained: “We are all such beer fans that we all felt strongly about how it should taste.”
Rou added: “We went to Signature Brew’s bar and tried beers from all over the world. There was nothing bad about the process at all!”
Chris said: “The opportunity was presented to us and as we like beer, we thought it would be a good experience. It would be nice to have it at the next St Albans Beer Festival.”
Describing the lager as having a “bit of a twang” Chris said The Boot was chosen for the St Albans launch as the local was a “beautiful pub”.
The beer has already been well received at various venues where Enter Shikari have played gigs. Rou said: “It seems to be pleasing to the more seasoned beer drinker.”
Enter Shikari have this year been celebrating their 10th anniversary, and recently played at Hatfield after 18 months of touring the world. The band will be kept busy playing at various festivals including Glastonbury in June.
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