Wadworth has launched a new beer – the first to be created by public demand.

The Devizes-based brewer has put Henry’s 100 on the pumps in its pubs, an ale produced to mark a hundred years since its famous Henry’s IPA was first brewed and also a year since Wadworth opened The Henry, its very own online virtual pub.

The new beer was created by customers to the virtual pub, which was founded on Facebook during Lockdown last year.

Because the Covid restrictions caused the closure of all pubs, Wadworth decided to keep the pub spirit going by opening The Henry, featuring live music from local musicians streaming online, Wadworth beer tasting, a weekly quiz, plus cooking sessions, bingo, open mic and pub tricks.

Another feature was for beer-lovers to design a new brew. Customers who visited the virtual pub over a two-week period were asked to create their ideal beer and 360 votes were cast.

The poll decided that the centenary beer would be a golden ale with a colour rating of five, light to medium bitterness and 4.7 per cent ABV, using predominately Citra hops and also Enigma, with Munich malt and Caramalt.

IPA, or India Pale Ale, was originally brewed for the British Empire in the East, as traditional beer couldn’t survive the long, six month journey. Instead, enterprising brewers struck gold by creating an ale packed with hops, and with a higher alcohol content, protecting it as it made its way across the continents.

Over the last few years Henry’s IPA has seen a resurgence in popularity and now Wadworth is hoping that the new Henry’s 100 will meet with the same approval.

So what’s your view of Waddy’s new brew? A hoppy hit? Tasty with a long finish? Strong enough? Too strong? Let us know what you think.

Wadworth has been brewing beer in Devizes since 1875. Originally founded by Henry Alfred Wadworth, the business passed to his founding partner John Smith Bartholomew and is now in the fifth generation of ownership by the Bartholomew family, with Toby Bartholomew leading the company as Managing Director.