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The Story behind our Seasonal Beer: Lord Mayor

November is the traditional month for the incoming Lord Mayor of London’s Parade (www.lordmayorsshow.london).  The role dates back to the early 13th Century when King John permitted the City of London to appoint its own Mayor and therefore its independent governance.

The connections between the Gresham family, the Lord Mayor and the City of London are strong and notable.  Both Sir Richard Gresham and his brother Sir John Gresham were elected as Lord Mayors in 1537 and 1547 respectively.  Sir Richard’s son was the redoubtable Sir Thomas Gresham who founded the Royal Exchange in the City.  Sir John Gresham was the purchaser of the Titsey Estate in 1534.  This was the core of his extensive lands in Surrey and Kent which included Woldingham, Broadham, Limpsfield, Sanderstead, Oxted, Chelsham, Westerham and Edenbridge.

This year is particularly relevant as the incoming Lord Mayor is Alderman Michael Mainelli, an Emeritus Professor of Commerce, Fellow and Trustee of Gresham College.  This is the College that Sir Thomas Gresham established in 1597 from the proceeds of rental payments at the Royal Exchange ( www.gresham.ac.uk ).  Professor Mainelli is a most remarkable man. He holds 4 nationalities, has studied at 18 schools and at 3 universities (Harvard, Trinity Dublin and LSE).  He has written numerous books and articles, established various companies and has skills ranging from accountancy to rocket science.  He is, furthermore, the first person since 1228 to serve as Sherriff of the City of London for 2 years (together with his fellow Sherriff during the pandemic years).  Truly a man to raise a pint to!

TASTING NOTES FOR OUR LORD MAYOR LONDON PORTER:

Lord Mayor is a rich, tawny coloured ale and so the recipe is all about the malt. Malt is often forgotten in the rush to find ever more fruity and bitter New World hops. At Titsey Brewing Co. we like to think of the malt as the ‘meat and two veg’ of beer whilst the hops are just the ‘seasoning’ on top.

Lord Mayor uses no ordinary malt, Maris Otter® is widely used and accepted as one of the most superior malts. Nowadays most malted barley in large ‘silo ovens’ in an automated process. At Crisp Malt they still produce The No. 19 floor at Crisp’s Great Ryburgh maltings dates back the founding of the company and has been producing malt virtually uninterrupted since the late 19th century. Maris Otter® barley is  malted in the traditional way; hand turned, germinated slowly on the floors and kilned for over three days to maximise the robust flavours associated with Maris Otter® Ale Malt. The result is a rich malt of superior quality; a true celebration of heritage and malting knowhow.

There is no doubt that this slower process with no automation produces a richer, deeper flavoured product – we like to think Lord Mayor does justice to it. Fit for a Lord Mayor, enjoyed by porters and porter lovers everywhere.

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