History is full of happy little accidents. Think of Coca-Cola, which started as a headache remedy, or Penicillin, famously discovered after a forgotten petri dish grew mould. Sometimes, the path to something truly brilliant is paved with a few glorious missteps.

Here at Vocation Brewery in Hebden Bridge, our latest accidental masterpiece is the star of our new craft beer release, alongside two other fantastic brews. We've just launched three new beers: Jamageddon (8% Pastry Stout), Hollow Tree (3.8% Session Pale), and the beautiful, bewildering story behind Secret Garden (5.2% Wild Rhubarb Sour).

This 5.2% Wild Rhubarb Sour was originally conceived as a rhubarb and custard-inspired sour. However, when the brew didn't go entirely to plan, we made the call to just… leave it. We kept it tucked away in the tank while we decided on its fate. And that's when the magic of Cragg Vale truly took over, resulting in a genuinely unique, one-off creation.

To start, we kettle soured the rhubarb-infused wort using Lactiplantibacillus Plantarum to build the base acidity. The primary fermentation went ahead with our Vocation house yeast, but the beer was then left open to the wild environment of Cragg Vale. The naturally occurring wild yeast floating on the air of our valley found its way into the mix, promoting a secondary fermentation that transformed the beer into something new and astonishing.

After two months of conditioning, the resulting character is a thick, creamy body layered with vibrant notes of rhubarb and mixed berries, complemented by a delicate, balanced sourness. What you get is a fruity, clean, slightly sour beer where the rhubarb is present but far from dominant. Expect sweet floral notes and clean spring fruit flavours running through this glass of accidental brilliance.

Jamageddon was brewed to deliver pure fun in a glass, aiming for a smooth, sweet stout profile with a twist. Most of the jam character comes from strawberry added during the whirlpool, while a hit of strawberry purée late on gives a bump of fresh fruit and a subtle, tart edge. A generous dose of vanilla rounds out the beer, which pours rich and dark but remains surprisingly easy drinking, with a soft booziness offset by lush sweetness and a satisfyingly thick texture. This one’s dessert and drink all at once.

Hollow Tree was designed for those seeking full bodied haze and vibrant hop character at a lower ABV. At just 3.8%, it still boasts the softness and depth usually reserved for much stronger beers, thanks to a substantial proportion of oats and wheat. The beer glows with a pale, hazy hue and pours with a pillowy texture. It’s hopped with Citra and Rakau for a burst of citrus and herbal notes, while a touch of Mosaic ties everything together with extra complexity. Expect a refreshing, easy drinking pint that never compromises on flavour—distinctly Vocation, even at session strength.

This brings us back to our wild sour. Secret Garden is a truly one-off creation and impossible to replicate—all the better for it. This is a beer that reflects a single moment in time and the specific wild yeast present on that day in Cragg Vale. Once it’s gone, it’s gone.

Ready to taste one of these new releases, whether it's an indulgent treat, an easy-drinking haze, or a tart, wild masterpiece?

All three of our new brews are pouring from our Vocation & Co bars and available to order on our website.

...But wait!

For our Secret Garden fans, you'll have to venture out and face the ghouls to get your hands on this wild rhubarb sour—it's keg-exclusive!

You'll find all of these beers, to name but a few, in:

Shinner & Sudstone, London

Tower Bridge Arms, London

Saison Bar in Didsbury

The Harewood Arms in Hyde

White Harte, Liverpool

Whether you’re hunting for something indulgent, easy-drinking, or tart and wild, there’s a perfect pour for every spooky occasion.