Oakham Ales in Peterborough marked its 30th anniversary by brewing a celebratory batch of its classic bitter JHB.

The first recipe Oakham Ales created, JHB had humble beginnings when brewed by John Wood in Rutland on 13 September 1993.

Wood had been home brewing for more than 20 years when early retirement gave him the chance to brew commercially.

He thought the UK market would be receptive to US-hopped golden ales but was also influenced by a shortage of UK Goldings and Fuggles at the time.

He used Mount Hood hops as the basis for JHB and teamed up with a yeast from the Home brewery in Nottingham which gave him the flavour he was looking for. The same strain is still used today.

JHB is widely acknowledged to be a significant beer, released at an influential point in the development of UK brewing. It went on to win Champion Beer of Britain in 2001 and was Oakham Ales' best-selling beer for 21 years. The beer is named after Sir Jeffrey Hudson, an adventurer and courtier of Charles I who was born in Oakham in 1619.

Oakham Ales soon outgrew its original home in Rutland and moved to Peterborough in 1998. A 35-barrel plant was installed at Westgate, forming the centrepiece of the new Brewery Tap pub. A further upgrade to the Woodston area of Peterborough was necessary in 2006, thanks to the increased demand that came from winning Champion Beer of Britain.