Brewer Henry Kirk (above) is on a mission to make Britain’s classic cask-ale styles as well respected as the best Belgian beers.

Kirk launched his new venture, Sunken Knave Brewing, at the Evening Star pub in Brighton on 22 February. On cask was Mumping Ale, a six per cent ABV dark, malty beer which is Kirk’s take on an old ale style, as well as collaboration brews with Elusive and Simple Things breweries.

Having previously worked on Fuller’s Past Masters beers and the revival of Gale’s Prize Old Ale by Dark Star in 2022, Kirk has a track record that reflects what he calls “my obsession with old ales, prize or otherwise.”

The inspiration for Mumping is “the 4.5 per cent ABV session-strength old ales that used to be brewed in Sussex, but I wanted it to be a bit stronger and have a bit more flavour”. The beer was brewed in December, when traditionally Sussex people would go knocking, or mumping, on the doors of the well-off.  

While he currently brews Sunken Knave beers at the Hand Brew Co in Worthing, Kirk has been planning his own brewery, and hopes other brewers will follow his lead and help to put traditional British ale styles on a par with Belgian ales.

“I really love cask beer, so I’m an evangelist for it. British beer history is fascinating, and with all the flavours and styles that you can resurrect, it’s worth preserving.”

He adds: “I’ve been in the industry long enough to know how difficult it is to start a brewery, so I’m just enjoying each step. Every time someone calls or emails me to order beer, it’s a thrill.”