Toast Ale and Warburtons use ‘wonky’ crumpets to create beer

UK brewer Toast Ale has joined forces with bakery company Warburtons to launch a beer brewed using leftover crumpets.

With an ABV of 4.2%, the session IPA is made by replacing some of the malted barley in the beer with crumpets, extracting starches and sugars and breaking them down into fermentable sugars.

The launch comes as Warburtons looks for innovative ways to grant its leftover food waste a second life.

The collaboration at first is on a limited-edition basis, but dependant on consumer demand will be rolled out on a larger scale.

“We’re thrilled to announce an innovative way of utilising our ‘wonky’ products whilst celebrating the nation’s love of crumpets in a whole new way,” said Darren Littler, head of product innovation at Warburtons.

In 2016, Toast Ale partnered with Adelie Foods to create a beer using surplus bread from bakeries.

“Our mission remains to brew beer that is planet-saving and palate-pleasing, and we couldn’t be more excited to venture into the world of crumpets,” said James King, marketing and brand manager at Toast Ale said.

“As a British staple, they bring something hole-y different than our bread brewed beer, with a unique taste. We will continue to toast change and hope everyone loves this new crumpet beer as much as we’ve loved brewing and tasting it.”

 Warburtons X Toast Ale Crumpet Beer is now available for £28 for packs of 12x300ml bottles.