Credit: Woodforde's.

fter undergoing a rebrand in 2017, Norfolk craft brewery Woodforde’s has announced it will be sponsoring local festivals and launching a calendar of beers in 2018.

The brewery has sponsored local family festival Jimmy’s Festival, which will be held 21 and 22 July at Jimmy’s Farm in Suffolk. The company has sponsored the main music stage, Wherryfields, which is named after Woodforde’s flagship amber ale and a chef’s demonstration area.

Woodforde’s chief executive officer James Hughes said: “We are so pleased to be involved with Jimmy’s Farm and the Festival. It’s a great family event and with around 20,000 visitors expected over the weekend, it will give us an excellent new platform to highlight Woodforde’s brewery and our beer brands to a wider audience.”

Woodforde’s master brewer Neil Bain from 2008 to 2015 has recently returned to the company and has announced it will be launching a series of beers in 2018. This includes limited edition IPAs starting with Fury IPA, which is an American style beer with 5.5% alcohol by volume (ABV).

Bain said: “I am thrilled to return to Woodforde’s once again, particularly with the new branding, the investment in the business and its strong portfolio of beers.”

The company is also involved in the first ever Norfolk Day on 27 July. It is brewing a beer especially for the event and allowed the public to submit possible names.

The rebrand, which was overseen by Hughes and chief operating officer Nick Dolan, aimed to link the brewery with the legacy of Admiral Nelson who was born in Norfolk and celebrate the area’s heritage and character. It included the design of a new logo featuring Nelson’s iconic silhouette.

Hughes said: “We wanted to develop a strong identity for the vibrant beer market. We have built a loyal following across the region and this new contemporary look, which includes the Nelson silhouette has its roots in Norfolk. The rebrand is integral to our strategy to build an even stronger national profile and replaces the Norfolk boat.”

Following the rebrand, the company released the Nelson’s Revenge in homage to the Admiral and acquired the pub next door as a brewery tap where consumers could taste the brand’s latest products. Nelson’s Revenge is a 4.5% ABV biter that has rich floral aromas and contains Norfolk malts.