Everything you ever needed to know about beer - National Beer Day 15th June
At Greene King, we believe that beer is more than just a drink – it’s a cornerstone of British culture. From pub gatherings to quiet pints enjoyed after a long day to tinnies on the train, beer has been a companion through centuries of British history – and so have we. For generations, we have been brewing and serving some of the nation’s favourite pints, proudly playing our part in bringing people together.
So, this National Beer Day on the 15th of June, we’re raising our glass to the drink that has always been there to mark the moments. Cheers! Read on to discover everything you’ve ever wanted to know about beer.
What is beer?
Beer is a drink made from just four ingredients – water, hops, malt and yeast. It is made through a process called brewing, which involves the heating and cooling of water alongside roasted barley and hops. The process releases both a range of flavours and fermentable sugars that are then turned into alcohol.
Of course, the process is a little more complicated than that and involves different methods and flavour profiles to create different beers and tastes. But we’ll delve into that more later.
National Beer Day in the UK
In the UK, National Beer Day is held every 15th June. And in 2025, it falls on a Sunday which offers the perfect opportunity to raise a glass of your favourite beer with your friends and family.
So, what happens on National Beer Day? It’s pretty simple. All you need to do is join the national ‘Cheers to Beer’ at 7pm on June 15th as millions of people raise a glass to the nation’s favourite tipple.
We’ll be celebrating at our 900 Greene King pubs across the UK. So, join us for a pint of Greene King IPA, Hazy Day Hazy IPA, Abbot Ale or Icebreaker and we’ll all raise a glass together. Here’s to beer, we say.
Types of beer
Fancy a quick fire round on the different types of beer? Of course you do.Lager
A crisp, clean beer with a refreshing finish. Perfectly balanced, it's the ideal choice for those who enjoy a smooth and easy-drinking pint.Pale ale
Hoppy and full of character, pale ale brings a light, bitter edge with a beautiful golden hue. It’s the kind of beer that always delivers a satisfying, punchy flavour.IPA (India Pale Ale)
Bold and vibrant, an IPA is packed with hops and offers a delightful bitterness alongside fruity and floral notes. For those who crave a more intense, full-flavoured beer.Stout
Rich, dark, and velvety, stouts are a true classic. With flavours of roasted coffee, chocolate, and a hint of sweetness, it’s the perfect choice for those who enjoy a deeper, fuller brew.Bitter
A true British classic, bitter is full of earthy, malty flavour with just a hint of hop bitterness. A refreshing, sessionable pint that’s ideal for any occasion.Na
Crisp, clean, and wonderfully refreshing, pilsners offer a perfect balance of bitterness and malt sweetness. A great beer to enjoy with friends or after a long day.Saison
A farmhouse style beer with a lovely spicy and fruity profile, saison is full of vibrant, complex flavours. It’s perfect for adventurous beer lovers looking for something a bit different.How is beer made?
Making beer is a bit like crafting a delicious liquid masterpiece, and it all starts with four simple ingredients: water, malted barley, hops, and yeast.
First, we mash up the malted barley in hot water to release those lovely sugars, creating a sweet, golden wort. Then, we bring in the hops – these little green beauties add bitterness to balance out the sweetness and give the beer that signature punch of flavour.
Next, the yeast comes in to work its magic, turning the sugars into alcohol and bubbles. Now, here’s where the fun happens. Dry hopping, for example, is like giving the beer a big, hoppy hug after fermentation, adding bold, aromatic bursts of hop goodness without the bitterness. Each hop variety brings something different – some add fruity, citrusy notes, while others pack a punch of piney bitterness.
All these steps and techniques come together to create a beer that’s bursting with flavour, character, and a whole lot of love in every sip.
Cask beer vs keg beer
Back in the day, all beer was made by fermenting it in barrels and ceramic pots. This tradition lasted for thousands of years until the 19th century when lighter American beers started to gain traction on this side of the pond.
Lighter beers like lager, IPA and pale ale are typically produced in kegs. They’re cold-filtered, kept at a cool temperature, and force-carbonated with carbon dioxide gas. Cask ales, on the other hand, are stored at cellar temperature. Yeast is added to the barrel for natural carbonation – just like it was done all those millennia ago.
The result? A significant difference in taste, look and feel. Keg beers are cold, fizzy and refreshing, while cask ales are a live product with a deeper flavour profile, thanks to their barrel ageing.
Both keg and cask beers have their own appeal. The best choice for you depends not only on personal taste but also the occasion.
Beer trends in the UK
Beer trends in the UK have been evolving in exciting ways. Let’s take a look at some of the key movements shaping the beer scene right now:Craft beer craze
The craft beer revolution has taken the UK by storm, with independent breweries popping up all over the country. This drink is all about bold flavours, creativity, and standing out from the mainstream. We’re talking about everything from fruity pale ales to experimental stouts that make you say, “Wow, I never thought beer could taste like this!”
Sustainability on tap
It’s not just about making great beer anymore – it’s about doing it responsibly. UK breweries are embracing eco-friendly brewing practices, reducing waste, and using sustainable ingredients. From eco-conscious packaging to cutting carbon footprints, beer lovers are making sure their favourite brews are as green as they are tasty.
Greene King is pulling its weight in the sustainability game too. They’re trialling a refillable bottle scheme in 22 pubs across the North West, collecting used bottles, giving them a good scrub and sending them back to drinks producers to be refilled – because who needs single use when you can just rinse and repeat? With an estimated 22,000 bottles getting the second chance treatment each week, that’s a whole lot of waste saved and emissions slashed.
And they’re not stopping there. Greene King has also joined the RE100 initiative, pledging to switch to 100% renewable energy by 2030. That means every pint pulled, every keg brewed and every light switched on in their pubs and breweries is moving towards a greener future. Turns out, going green isn’t just good for the planet – it’s good for your pint too. Cheers to that!
Non-alcoholic beers for all
Who says you need alcohol to enjoy a good beer? Non-alcoholic beer is on the rise, with more brands offering crisp, refreshing options that don’t skimp on flavour. Whether you're the designated driver or just looking to cut back, these brews are becoming a serious contender in the beer aisle.
Greene King is getting in on the action too, serving up a cracking selection of low and no alcohol drinks. From 0.5 ales to alcohol free lagers, gins and wines, we’ve got plenty of choice for those who want all the taste without the booze. So, whether you’re pacing yourself or just fancy a school night pint, there’s no need to feel left out.
Beer festivals & events
Nothing celebrates the UK’s love for beer quite like a good ol' beer festival. Events like the Great British Beer Festival (GBBF) bring together thousands of beer fans to sample everything from traditional ales to the latest craft brews. It's like a giant party where the drinks are the stars, and everyone's invited to join in on the fun.
Beer etiquette 101
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First things first, pouring a pint isn’t just a job – it's an art form. Whether you're at home or in a pub, the key to a great pint is angle, patience, the perfect amount of head, and a clean glass. Never forget the glass.
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Bartenders are not just there to pour; they're the custodians of beer joy. If you’re ordering, be polite, wait your turn, and say thank you. A little touch of class goes a long way.
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When at a pub, don't plant yourself at the bar unless you’re ordering. Regulars may eye you with disdain if you take up prime real estate for an extended chinwag.
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In the UK, buying a round of drinks is a sacred ritual. If you’re invited into a round, it’s your turn next. Don't flake out and duck out of paying – that’s poor form.
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In the UK, many pubs take pride in their glassware. So don't slam it down on the table. Treat your pint glass with some respect.
Discover Greene King beers
At Greene King, we’ve been crafting our fine ales and beers from our two historic breweries for over 200 years. Our Westgate Brewery in Bury St Edmonds has been our beer brewing home for two centuries, and it’s seen us brew some of the most iconic beers in the UK including:
Greene King IPA
Greene King IPA is an easy-drinking, session ale with a hoppy taste and aroma making it clean, crisp and moreish. Plus, it’s won awards too – picking up a prestigious Gold Monde Award.Abbot Ale
Warming, malty and fruity, we’re super proud of our Abbot Ale and it’s a favourite amongst our customers. Pale and amber malts contribute to a mouth filling and satisfying 'Horlicks' and biscuity maltiness.Ice Breaker Pale Ale
The first beer brewed by Greene King apprentices to graduate into the full Greene King beer portfolio. Ice Breaker is a beer full of hoppyness with biscuity and toffee notes. It has a grapefruit citrus, tropical fruits and fresh hop finish that brings a clean taste with a satisfying bitterness.Join us for National Beer Day 2025
Come on down to your local Greene King pub on 15th June 2025 to raise a glass with us. And don’t worry, we’ll be celebrating all day – not just the allotted 7pm time. So pay us a visit with the family or friends and we’ll be ready and waiting.
To find the best beer near you, simply enter your postcode in our handy pub finder below and we’ll show you all the Greene King pubs near you.