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Make ours a kosher pint: Fuller's beers are certified by kashrut authority
Some of brewer's best-known brands are sanctioned by Manchester Beth Din
February 16, 2018 14:42
Some of brewer's best-known brands are sanctioned by Manchester Beth Din
February 16, 2018 14:42Seven British beers have received kosher certification, with the brewer suggesting that a roadshow might soon be held in North London to promote them.
Manchester Beth Din has certified seven of Fuller’s most popular bottled brands - London Pride, Black Cab Stout, ESB, India Pale Ale, London Porter, Organic Honey Dew and Wild River.
The company applied for certification in response to a request from their Israeli importer. It believes the kashrut certification will give it “access to the Jewish market in other countries across the globe”.
Fuller's managing director Simon Dodd said it was “great news for any beer lovers who are looking for kosher brands.
“I’m delighted to be taking our fantastic beer to new markets. Israel is just one of around 80 countries we export to. But the implications of our kosher certification spread much wider. It will allow a whole new group of customers, particularly in the UK and the US, to enjoy the delicious brews we make.
“I’m hoping that we will shortly hold a Head Brewer’s Roadshow, showcasing these beers, in the North London area.”
Dayan Yehudah Osher Steiner said Manchester Beth Din was “very excited” at the collaboration with Fuller's. After a “very in-depth audit” of the seven beers, “we feel they are now kosher certified to a very high standard.
“We hope the response from the community, who are always looking for kosher beers, will encourage Fuller's to try and broaden their range.
“The great thing is that these beers will be available, with their kosher status, at absolutely no extra cost."
He explained that a number of beers might be questionable for those who keep kosher.
“As people’s palates are getting more and more fussy and they’re looking for different tastes and flavours, you can have a lot of additions to the classic beer.
“Part of the purification of many beers [not the seven from Fuller's] involves a product called isinglass, which is actually a non-kosher ingredient from a non-kosher fish.”
Although many halachic authorities permit the drinking of beer made with this method – due to the extremely small amount of the product used – most kashrut authorities do not offer certification to beers made in this way.
