Popular session ale Hole Hearted all set for return at Southsea pub

Ed Anderson, who created Hole Hearted beer for Oakleaf Brewery. It has now made a comeback under Fallen Acorn

But now it’s making a big return at Southsea’s Hole in The Wall pub in the New Year thanks to the Fallen Acorn Brewing Company.

Hole Hearted was formerly brewed by Oakleaf Brewery, which closed earlier this year.

New investors stepped in and repackaged the firm, with the Fallen Acorn name, complete with a new, modern look.

But it’s kept on Oakleaf’s popular Hole Hearted beer and is sticking to the recipe that people have loved for years.

And brewery bosses can’t wait to showcase Hole Hearted back at The Hole in The Wall – the first pub to ever stock the award-winning ale – on Monday, January 9.

Fallen Acorn managing director Matt Curd, who formerly worked for Just Develop It, in Whiteley, before making the switch to brewing, said: ‘It’s going to be exactly the same beer, we’ve stuck to the original recipe as it’s really close to Ed Anderson’s heart (the head brewer).

‘It started at Oakleaf so we thought it would be appropriate to carry it on.

The branding is completely different, complete with a new logo and pump clips.

‘But the recipe is the same.

‘It’s a very popular beer in Portsmouth and Gosport.

‘The Hole in The Wall is where Hole Hearted started, it was brewed for that pub, which has been a fantastic customer for Oakleaf.

A limited supply of the beer will be available to punters at this weekend’s Christmas version of Portsmouth Beer Festival before it goes on general sale at The Hole in The Wall.

Hole Hearted has won Hampshire Beer of the Year five times.

Former brewers Oakleaf said its use of Cascade hops gives this golden ale ‘powerful floral and tropical fruit flavours’ and a delicate bitterness.’

Mr Curd said the new brewery is going from strength and strength.

And there’s talk of moving from its current premises at Gosport’s Clarence Wharf Industrial Estate to Priddy’s Hard, at the site of Explosion! Museum of Naval Firepower.

The brewery then wants to start creating a range of military-themed beers, including a ‘gunpowder IPA’.

Mr Curd said: ‘There is a lot of optimism going forward.

‘When Oakleaf went into administration, the guys here were very concerned about what was going to happen.

‘But everyone has changed so much, and we’re even looking to relocate in two to three years’ time.’