Celebrating 30 Years of Bold Flavour: Introducing Jail Ale XXX
Three Decades of Crafting Excellence
At Dartmoor Brewery, we’ve always believed that great beer is about more than just flavour.
It’s about tradition, craftsmanship, and the community that shares in it. This year, we’re thrilled to mark a major milestone: 30 years of brewing our iconic Jail Ale.
The Legacy of Jail Ale
Since its launch in 1994, Jail Ale has been a favourite for those seeking a premium, well-rounded beer that’s rich in character. Brewed in the heart of Dartmoor National Park, with the rugged landscape and the history of Dartmoor Prison as its inspiration, Jail Ale has become a staple of the local and national beer scene. Over the years, it's scooped up numerous awards in the Premium Bitter category, gaining a reputation as one of the best ales in the country.
Now, as we hit the 30-year mark, we’re raising a glass to the past, present, and future with the release of Jail Ale XXX - a special edition beer that’s everything you love about the original, but with a bold twist.
Introducing Jail Ale XXX
Brewed especially for our 30th anniversary, Jail Ale XXX takes everything that made the original great and ramps it up. Here’s what you can expect from this limited edition brew:
- Colour/Appearance: A deep amber beer with light red hues, evoking the dramatic landscape of Dartmoor.
- Aroma: Notes of citrus and orange, balanced with the sweet richness of caramel.
- Flavour Profile: Malted fruits lead the way, followed by a slightly sweet caramel finish, with a balanced bitterness.
- Bitterness & Sweetness Scale: Both measured at 6/10, striking the perfect harmony for a full-bodied, moreish ale.
- Hops: A robust blend of Northdown, Challenger, Northern Brewer, and Goldings hops provide depth and complexity.
- Malts: Crafted with Pale, Crystal, and Wheat malts to deliver that signature malty richness and smooth mouthfeel.
- ABV: A bolder 6.0% alcohol content, making it perfect for a special celebration.
Whether you’re a long-time fan or new to Dartmoor Brewery, Jail Ale XXX is the perfect beer to celebrate this milestone with us.
A Perfect Pairing: Dartmoor Brewery Pretzels
To mark this momentous occasion, we’ve also created a special recipe to pair with Jail Ale XXX—our Dartmoor Brewery Pretzels. These golden, soft pretzels are topped with black onion seeds, sesame seeds, and coarse sea salt, adding a delightful savoury crunch that complements the rich, full-bodied flavour of the ale. These pretzels are an irresistible snack to enjoy with friends and family over a pint of Jail Ale XXX.
Recipe: Dartmoor Brewery Pretzels
- Prep Time: 40 minutes + 1-2 hours rest
- Servings: 8
Ingredients:
- 360ml warm water
- 7g instant dry yeast (1 packet)
- 1 tsp fine salt
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 14g unsalted butter, melted
- 450g-500g plain flour (plus extra for hands/work surface)
Boiling Step:
- 2L water
- 2 heaped tbsp baking powder
Finishing:
- Black onion seeds, sesame seeds, coarse sea salt
- 1 egg & 2 tbsp milk (for egg wash)
- Melted butter (optional)
Method:
- Mix warm water, sugar and yeast. Sit for 2 minutes.
- Add fine salt & melted butter. Mix in flour gradually & knead for 5 mins.
- Let the dough rest for 1-2 hours.
- Preheat the oven to 200°C. Line baking trays with parchment.
- Divide dough into 8 portions and roll into ropes. Shape into pretzels.
- Boil 2L of water with 2 tbsp baking powder. Boil pretzels for 30-40 seconds each. Remove and place on greased / lined tray.
- Brush with egg wash (egg & milk together) to glaze. Top with black onion seeds, sesame seeds, and sea salt.
- Bake for 12–15 minutes until golden.
- Serve warm with melted butter on top (optional) and enjoy with Jail Ale XXX.
For a printable version of the recipe, you can download the PDF here.
A Celebration of Craftsmanship
What sets Jail Ale XXX apart is its full-bodied flavour, with malted fruits, hints of citrus and caramel, all wrapped up in a deep amber brew. This ale stands as a tribute to 30 years of dedication to the craft. It’s an exceptional beer, and we couldn’t be prouder of this special release.
Crafted with the same passion that’s earned our original Jail Ale numerous awards in the Premium Bitter category, Jail Ale XXX takes this legacy one step further. Each 500ml bottle is a celebration of the years we’ve spent perfecting the art of brewing.
Get Your Hands on Jail Ale XXX
Jail Ale XXX is available now in limited edition 8-packs. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion, or simply love a good beer, this anniversary ale is not to be missed. Contains malted barley and wheat.
Join us in raising a glass to 30 years of Dartmoor Brewery and toast to many more to come.
We look forward to sharing this milestone with you and continuing our journey as one of the country’s finest brewers.
Cheers to 30 years of Jail Ale!
