Stroud Brewery has created a brand-new beer to celebrate Organic September and give ex-offenders 'a second chance'.
Against the Grain is an extra hazy pale ale with a tropical taste and a hint of bitterness, that clocks in at 4.2 per cent ABV.
As well as showcasing how good organic beer can be during the Soil Association's national campaign to shine a spotlight on organic food, drink and products, this year's brew has an extra layer of meaning, as it's also helping prisoners and ex-offenders gain new work skills to help them reintegrate into society, thanks to a partnership with Oxfordshire-based social enterprise, Tap Social Movement.
Tap Social Movement was founded in 2016 to offer training, support and fulfilling employment to people who have been involved with the criminal justice system.
It is currently the UK's Community-Based Social Enterprise of the Year and has provided 115,000 hours of paid employment through its independent brewery, bakery, and four community venues – and it's making a real difference, as none of its participants have gone on to reoffend in the year after leaving prison and 89 per cent of them are still in work, compared to the national reoffending rate of 59 per cent.
The brewery also has a commitment to buying at least half of its non-labour supplies from independent suppliers within 50 miles of its sites, but until now had never had an organic option in its range of beers.
Tap Social Movement's co-founder, Tess Taylor, said: 'We're big fans of Stroud Brewery and are so stoked to have had the chance to work and collaborate with them on Against the Grain to celebrate Organic September.
'This is such a great opportunity for our two socially-minded breweries to come together and show how we're playing a small part in helping to build stronger communities and a greener, more sustainable planet.
'It also adds a new layer to our beer offering for customers: on top of helping some of the most marginalised people in society, Against the Grain is also helping us care for wildlife.'
Stroud Brewery is well-known for its incredible environmental credentials, as the country's very first brewery to be certified 100 per cent organic and a B Corp.
Stroud Brewery's founder, Greg Pilley, said: 'Being a dedicated organic brewery has been extremely important to myself and the brewery since 2008, when we were officially certified as organic by the Soil Association.
'It's also why we're keen to take part in Organic September every year to help spread the message: choosing organic helps us all care for the wild and ourselves.'
Against the Grain is available throughout Organic September 2026, on tap at Stroud Brewery and in Tap Social Movement's four Oxfordshire venues, and for mail order via the Stroud Brewery website.
