Harvey’s brewery in Lewes have tweeted that their seasonal Tom Paine is back.
It is a relatively rare example of a beer named after a radical political figure
https://www.harveys.org.uk/beer/tom-paine
In recent times there have been one or two Jeremy Corbyn inspired beer names such as One Mile End’s JC4PM also know as Juicy4PM (ironically of course the current Labour leader doesnt drink).
Stroud Brewery also produced an organic smoked porter called Chartist Ale after the Chartists, while Trade Union Pale Ale produced by Brigadista can often be seen at labour movement events.
However such radically inspired beer names were historically not popular with a brewing and pub trade largely controlled by the Beerage- brewers who supported the Tory Party
Today as most readers of this post will know you are far more likely to see a sexist pump clip than one celebrating a feminist, a socialist or a trade unionist.
Still, perhaps the times they are a changin’
Castle Rock brewery in Nottingham has produced a range of one off brews including Helen Watts, a Nottingham suffragette, and Florence Boot, of Boots fame.
Also Viv Anderson, former Nottingham Forest player, who whilst not being a radical, was I believe the first black England player.
Gill
Down in SE London we have the Plumstead Common Rioters Brewery (a reference to the 1876 riots when local people ripped and burnt down attempts to enclose the common denying them their grazing rights). Their latest release is Munitionette Ale, a reference to the female munition workers at the nearby Royal Arsenal in Woolwich, the largest workplace in the UK so far. Often known as “Canaries” because the women’s skin turned yellow due to their exposure to Cordite. The brewery is currently looking for local premises. Plumstead will get its first micropub “The Plum Tree” hopefully opening next week near Plumstead Common. They have a Fb page. Accent on local ales, craft and cask. They will also be brewing on the premises, a former roofing supplies shop.