There was fire on the grill and a buzz in the air as Wiltshire brewer, Arkell’s, officially launched its Malthouse Craft Lager in cans.
The event, held at Arkell’s pub The White Hart in Whitchurch, marked the official launch of Arkell’s best-selling lager in cans for the very first time.
It was a fantastic evening of food, drink and community spirit. Sizzling steak, traditional boerewors, droëwors, and chilled cans of Arkell’s Malthouse Craft Lager.
Malthouse (4.2% ABV) is one of Arkell’s most popular and awarded beers. Known for its crisp, refreshing character and brewed with local barley and Saaz hops. Unlike many lagers, Arkell’s slow-ferment Malthouse for up to a month, creating a softer, cleaner flavour with a satisfying fullness in the mouth. After this, rather than pasteurising and cooking the aromas, they gently triple micro filter the beer to lock in the thirst-quenching flavour.
The cans proudly bear the INDIE BEER mark—a symbol of quality and independence that beer lovers can trust. This is the first Arkell’s product to highlight Indie Beer, but as new bottling runs take place all Arkell’s bottled beers will also highlight the campaign.
Alex Arkell, Head Brewer at Arkell’s, said: “We’re really proud of Malthouse—it’s one of our flagship beers, and it’s fantastic to see it go into cans. The flavour holds up beautifully, and it’s a perfect beer for moments just like this—chilled, outdoors, shared with good people. What makes this launch extra special is that it coincides with Indie Beer Week, which shines a light on the independent breweries up and down the country who are committed to making great beer, by hand, with real care. That’s what we’re all about.”
The launch event was held during the nationwide Indie Beer Week (11–20 April), a campaign led by SIBA (Society of Independent Brewers) which aims to make the INDIE BEER mark the recognisable standard for high quality craft and cask beer, brewed across the UK, by truly independent breweries. Independent beer is handmade by real people who truly care about the quality and flavour of the beer they are producing. By choosing independent beer you’re not only getting a great tasting pint, but supporting local business, protecting pubs, and making a more sustainable choice.
With pub locals able to meet the sixth-generation family brewer, Alex Arkell, at the launch, there was a perfect mix of warm food, cold beer and community spirit, which set the tone for a week all about showcasing what makes small, passionate breweries so special.
Arkell’s Malthouse Cans are available to purchase now at Arkell’s Grape & Grain Wine & Brewery Warehouse and online.
