We’re super excited to announce our latest collaboration: with London Roller Derby. We’re releasing a trio of beers each designed and named after three key positions in the sport, with artwork created by the comic book artist and illustrator Veronica Fish, known for her work on the Archie and Marvel comics.
Roller Derby is a roller-skating full-contact sport, which originated in the US. Each fifteen-member team plays five members of the team in a ‘jam’, with one player a jammer and the others blockers. They circle around the track, with the opposing team blocking the Jammer’s attempts to skate past and assisting their own. Roller Derby has a fascinating cultural element: a strong tradition of assertiveness, toughness and competitive spirit.
London Roller Derby was established in April 2006, making them one of the first roller derby teams outside of the US. They spearheaded the introduction of this fast-paced, full-contact sport to the UK and Europe and continue to have a great impact on the sport’s development. Their league is entirely skater-owned-and-run and they all aim to support each other’s growth as skaters.
The roller derby community aspires to be inclusive. London Roller Derby welcomes people from all backgrounds regardless of age, race, religion, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation or nationality. They are encouraged not just to stay in the league, but thrive and take up leadership roles. Their policy includes all transgender women, intersex women, and gender- expansive participants: they are proud to be a gender self-identifying sport.
Our aim when designing the labels was to properly showcase the action of the sport, and the team’s colours. We featured three skaters from London Roller Derby (full details below). We’re massive fans of the artist Veronica Fish, particularly her work on the Slam! Comic, so we were super pleased when she agreed to work with us on the concept. Take a closer look at her designs below!
The Blocker IPA, 6.0 %
Assertive, powerful and resilient. In offence the Blocker breaks the pack, making way for the jammer to score points on defence. They block the opposing team’s jammer, preventing them from scoring.
Featured Player - Nele Van Bogaert/ Humpme Bogart
Nele moved to London to play for London Roller Derby, and has also skated for Team Belgium in 2 World Cups. She was Head Coach for Mens Team Belgium in 2 World Cups, and did a 5 week USA road trip coaching around 20 teams.
Nele is a fast and agile skater, who is relentless when it comes to getting jammers off the track. Her speed and tenacity means that they often don't see her coming until it's too late. You'll spot her on the track with her trademark short shorts and hot pink lipstick!
Tasting notes:
This juicy IPA was brewed with a cool oat mash followed by a hot, pale barley soak. Fermented with our In-house special yeast blend and dry hopped with Azacca and Citra.
The Captain, Saison 6.1%
The Captain embodies the team’s values in speech and deed. These are: athleticism, empowerment and inclusivity. Both on and off the track, the Captain inspires and supports the players around them.
Featured Player - Lois Swann/ Swann
Swann has been playing roller derby for 10 years, and Brawl Saints is the third team she's captained! She's an all rounder, and has played all positions at some point during her career. She's a determined, hard worker, with great skating skills, and a high level of motivation to improve. People have described jamming against her as being similar to running into a brick wall! She's been head coach of two of her previous teams, and is currently Head of Training for LRD. She's also coached in Gran Canaria, Jersey, Portugal and Italy!
Tasting notes:
Brewed with wheat, pale malt and freshly crushed coriander at the end of the boil. Fermented hot with Belle Saison yeast and dry hopped gently with Mosaic hops to finish.
The Jammer, Pale Ale 5.0%
Athletic, alert and decisive, the Jammer scores by passing every other player on the opposing team. Some jammers use speed ad agility to dodge or evade the defending players. Others force their way through using sheer strength
Featured player - Charelle Christian/Beat-her Parker (Jammer)
Parker is a fast, unpredictable jammer, who is instantly recognisable on the track by her low stance, her Spiderman makeup and her fun loving personality. She's also our most photogenic skater ;) Blockers better watch those edges - she'll be back around the track in the blink of an eye, slipping through even the tiniest gap!
Tasting notes:
Hoppy pale ale brewed with a base of extra pale malt, wheat and a mixture of malted and flaked oats. Fermented with a hazy yeast strain, then double-dry hopped after a light chill with Strata, Vic Secret and Mosaic.