In March of this year, Tetley’s announced the launch of Tetley’s No.3 Pale Ale. Brewed at Leeds Brewery, the recipe was inspired by an original recipe initially brewed 150 years ago, in 1868.
When I heard this I was intrigued. Of course I knew of Tetley’s; it was the beer I grew up associating with rugby, tins in the supermarket and what I assumed to be a fox hunter on the label (boo). This new recipe, teamed with a cracking rebrand, looked to be a departure from this; so when they offered to send me a bottle I said ‘yes please that would be lovely’ (I’ve got manners).
Tetley’s No.3 Pale Ale (4.2% ABV) uses entirely English hops; Pilgrim, Brewers Gold and Goldings, plus some good old English pale ale malt. Pulling this combo together is Tetley’s unique double yeast strain (steady on), attributed to Tetley’s distinctive taste. I readied myself for an English battle, the likes of which hadn’t been seen since Boris got stuck on that zip line.
It poured a golden straw colour with a delightfully white, foamy head (I was expecting it to be flat as the Isle of Wight so that was reassuring), and I found it to be crisp and refreshing, with a clean finish – unobtrusive and perfectly matched with the BBQ I was chowing down on at the time. This is not a beer that’s going to blow your mind; it’s a beer that’s going to go down a treat in a pub garden, and that you’ll happily quaff throughout a sunny afternoon. It’s not a challenge, it’s solid.
I can’t possibly talk about this beer without talking about Tetley’s rebrand, which for me is an unequivocal success. As with the recipe for No.3, the logo is inspired by the original logo created in the 1800s and, well – isn’t it just lovely. Leeds based designers WPA Pinfold based the new branding on an interpretation of the Tetley family’s coat of arms, using symbols inspired by their previous business as maltsters. I think it’s the perfect combination of old and new, playing on their rich heritage while incorporating modern, bold and vibrant colours.
Tetley’s No.3 Pale Ale is currently available in cask only, whilst the brand’s new look is already beginning to appear across its entire portfolio, so keep your eyes peeled!
The Crafty Beeress 
Hi,
Like @patto1ro, I know quite a bit about the beers of Joshua Tetley & Sons ; well where to start with the Tetley No3 Pale Ale : #1) There is no such beer in the Joshua Tetley & Sons brewing records 1844-1916,1919-1920 and an Experimental Brewing Book 1934-42 that I have been privileged to look at.
#2) Tetley’s yeasts;
3 is the number of the strains, not two which is an abomination unto the Lord, nor One which is right out 😋.
#3) Hops :Not that bad apart from the pilgrim, so 🍻on that one at least @Tetleysbeer.
That’s all folks.
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It does say “inspired by”
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