As a pioneer of the Northern brewing industry, Joseph Holt is a standout name in the history of beer making.
Now the eponymous founder of the 173-year-old Joseph Holt brewery has been immortalised on a limited-edition pint glass to mark his influence in Northern beer making, as well as the social contribution the family made to Manchester and beyond.
The glasses will be used to serve Holt`s recently launched Trailblazer stout in the breweries` 127 pubs across the North West. The drink is the first time Joseph Holt has brewed its own stout. Already, Trailblazer has trounced Guinness – a brand which has been going for 250 years old – in a blind taste test.
As well as Joseph Holt himself, the new commemorative glasses honour other `trailblazers` among the six generations of the Joseph Holt family who have contributed so much to the industry and the community at large.
In the first of the series and artfully stencilled with white and red graphics, the glasses feature a portrait of brewery founder Joseph Holt and notes key dates in his life. These include 1849 when Joseph Holt started his brewing career, 1860 when he built the current brewery on Empire Street in Manchester and 1861 when he opened his first pub. It has since been in the same family for six generations. Its beers are supplied to over 500 locations nationally
The wording and portrait of Joseph Holt becoming pronounced when Trailblazer, with its dark velveted body and firm creamy head, is poured into the glass so creating a perfect contrasting background to such historical details.
Said Paul Longmire, head of marketing at Joseph Holt : “As a person, Joseph Holt was a real trailblazer. The son of a weaver, he started work as a young lad as a carter at a local Manchester brewer before setting up his own business in a small house in the city, making his own beer. This has grown to be one of the most recognisable and successful brands in the Northwest . What’s more, Joseph Holt has resolutely retained its independence, having been in the same family for six generations. It seemed a perfect fit to commemorate our founder’s legacy and those who followed with a glass that salutes these `trailblazers` as well as our new Trailblazer stout which is proving such a soaring success.”
New glasses will be released shortly featuring other key figures in the Joseph Holt story including Lady Margaret Holt and Sir Edward Holt. Together the duo acted as a political and charitable powerhouse, making the Holt name known on a national scale. Their impact on Manchester life, which included providing a fresh water supply from the Lake District to Manchester, ultimately led to Edward being knighted.
“Trailblazer may be a relative newcomer to the stout market and Guinness is over 250 years old “said Phil Parkinson, head brewer at Joseph Holt “Even more satisfying is that, having blind tested drinkers of all ages, so many younger people enjoyed Trailblazer too.”
Brewed with distinct roasted barley, Trailblazer has a smoky, dark roast coffee aroma with hints of chocolate, treacle, liquorice, and nutty notes. With its velveted body and firm creamy head, it also strikes a subtle bittersweet taste with a fine, dry finish. The industry has already recognised the quality of the product after Trailblazer took a silver medal at the 2021 International Brewing.
Stout itself was first brewed in this country at the beginning of the 18th century. It was originally known as porter since it was popular with London street market workers: the strongest variety was known as stout porter, which was eventually shortened to just stout.
Added: Phil Parkinson: “At Joseph Holt we are so proud of our past at the same time as always looking to the future. In fact, since launching Trailblazer stout we have had 63 per cent increase in the number of younger drinkers ordering a glass. Now they and everyone who orders our award-winning stout can also enjoy a slice of history too The decision for Joseph Holt to brew its own stout – in the face of long-time established brands – has been a trailblazing moment for us.. So now all that history is wrapped up with our own brewery and served in these special commemorative glasses.”
