Popular UK beer set to return to pubs after almost 30-year hiatus

Fancy your beer with a hint of nostalgia? A beloved UK beer from yesteryear is making a comeback.

Double Diamond, once one of the most popular beers in Britain, is set to return to British boozers after a nearly 30-year hiatus.

Known for its classic pale ale flavour, it was a staple across UK pubs and one of the best-selling beers in the country. 

The drink’s bright red and yellow logo with two large D’s was almost as famous as its TV slogans: ‘Double Diamonds works wonders’ and ‘You’re only here for the beer.’

The tipple, first brewed by Allsopp at its Staffordshire brewery in Burton upon Trent, enjoyed a boom in popularity during the 1950s and earned the title of the nation’s top selling bottled beer. Then, over the next two decades, it became one of the most successful draught keg bitters. 

However, by the 90s, Double Diamond’s popularity began to wane, following the rise in competition from lager and other beer brands, and it gradually disappeared from sale. 

Although Carlsberg acquired Ind Coope, which had taken over Allsopp’s, in 2000 and continued to brew Double Diamond cans, it became increasingly difficult to find it in pint form. And, in 2011, Carlsberg ceased production of the beer altogether.

Now brewer Allsopp’s has announced its return with a nod to its famous slogan – ‘It’s back and it works wonders’ – in an effort tocompete with the wave of trendy craft beers that have dominated pub taps across the UK. 

‘After months of research and trial recipes to make it perfect, we have relaunched Double Diamond,’ a spokesperson from Allsopp’s said. 

‘Revived as 3.8% pale ale, it is a delicious, easy-going sessionable draft beer coming very soon to your favourite pubs.’

It’s looking good so far anyway; when trialled at Kirkstall Bridge pub in Leeds, punters called Double Diamond 2.0 ‘stunning’. 

It hasn’t yet been confirmed when the beer will return on a nationwide basis, or how much a pint will cost, but Metro has contacted Allsopp’s for comment. 

This news follows the ‘tragic’ announcement that Old Jamaica Ginger Beer is being discontinued. 

The iconic fizzy drink has been around for a staggering 25 years in the UK after launching in 1988. 

A video released on Instagram explained: ‘Just like a rock band saying goodbye to its fan, it’s time for Old Jamaica to bid farewell to its beloved drinkers.’

It continues: ‘Let’s say goodbye until every last can is gone and every last drop is gone.’

The news came as a shock to drinkers who struggled to cope with the loss of their favourite beverage. 

‘RIP u will live on forever,’ wrote one mourner. ’Can’t believe it.’

A second said: ‘Well, that’s tragic news.’

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