Spandau Ballet singer Hadley launches IPA

Spandau Ballet frontman Tony Hadley, singer of such 80s pop hits as ‘Gold’, ‘To Cut A Long Story Short’ and ‘Lifeline’, has launched his new beer, Moonstone IPA, with a series of surprise appearances at Nicholson’s pubs in London.

Spandau Ballet frontman Tony Hadley has launched his Moonstone IPA during Nicholson’s month-long Beer Showcase. I know this much is true

The singer stunned pub-goers last week as he stepped behind the bar and pulled pints of his new beer, which launched in conjunction with the Nicholson’s Beer Showcase, a month-long celebration of cask and craft ales which runs until 15 October. 

Visiting historical pubs including The Coal Hole, The Wellington on the Strand and The White Lion in Covent Garden, Hadley pulled pints of his American-style IPA – the second beer from his company Hadley’s Brewing Co after the release of Gold, a debut brew made in 2013 in collaboration with the The Great Yorkshire Brewery. 

Nicholson’s Beer Showcase sees the pub company partnering with some the UK’s best breweries to host events across the UK. The event includes other ‘celebrity brews’ from bands such as Madness, New Order and Iron Maiden. 

As well as offering beer enthusiasts the chance to try a large range of beers, the event will also invite them to take part in events including craft beer masterclasses, beer sommelier tastings, giveaways and celebrity brews.

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Hadley’s Moonstone IPA can be sampled at Nicholson’s pubs nationwide during the beer showcase.

A total of 139 beers will be available to sample across 80 pubs around the country as part of the event – including a range of seasonal autumn beers and cask ales, kegged craft beers and regional specialties. 

As Nicholson’s looks to capitalise on the high profile of rock bands-turned brewers, Beer Showcase attendees will also have the chance to win prizes, including personalised signed products from the artists.

In addition to an appearance by Tony Hadley, the event will also see comedian and ‘pub landlord’ Al Murray pouring pints on 14 October at four London pubs.

Other events included in the month-long beer celebration include a series of pop-up beer schools hosted by Brewdog, beer sommelier-led tastings of Pilsner Urquell fresh from the tank at selected pubs in the UK and a Fuller’s London Roadshow, which will showcase three cask ales and offer beer tastings with the brewery’s master beer taster.

Meanwhile, Meantime will be offering virtual tours of their brewery through the virtual reality ‘Oculus Rift’ device across 10 of the pubs. Also, a ‘Cornish Nights’ event hosted by rugby union star Jack Nowell will see Cornish ales from St Austell and Sharp’s breweries served with traditional Cornish pasties at selected pubs across the UK. 

For full listings of events and dates click here.