A lager brand backed by Jeremy Clarkson has been recalled after it was found to contain an undeclared ingredient that poses a risk to people with gluten intolerance or coeliac disease.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has issued a recall notice for two products made by The Cotswold Brewing Company — which uses barley from Clarkson’s Diddly Squat Farm in Oxfordshire.
The recall applies to all batch codes of the 440ml Hawkstone Black cans and the 330ml Hawkstone Spa Lager.
Both beers are sold through Waitrose and the brewery’s own website.
In a statement, the FSA said: “The Cotswold Brewing Company Limited is recalling Hawkstone Black and Hawkstone Spa Lager because they contain undeclared wheat (gluten) which is not mentioned on the label.
“This means the product is a possible health risk for anyone with an allergy or intolerance to wheat or gluten, or with coeliac disease.”
Customers who have bought the affected products and have a gluten allergy or intolerance are advised not to drink them and to contact the retailer for a refund.
A spokesperson from Hawkstone said: “We have issued an allergen alert for Hawkstone Spa Lager and Hawkstone Black as they contain wheat, which is not currently listed on the product label.
“All customers who have purchased these items have been notified that they can return them for a full refund.
“Both Hawkstone Spa Lager and Hawkstone Black remain fit for consumption for those who do not have a wheat allergy. We would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused.”
Clarkson launched his Hawkstone beer and cider brand in 2021, offering a range of premium British beers and ciders.
Alongside his beer brand, he opened The Farmer’s Dog in Asthall, near Burford in Oxfordshire, last August.
Although it hasn’t been smooth sailing, the Clarkson’s Farm star said last October that he feared he wouldn’t make his money back after spending more than £1million on the pub.
From his own experience, he offered to help other pub owners who are struggling by offering 1,000 free kegs of beer on Hawkstone’s Instagram account.
“Welcome to The Farmer’s Dog, it’s a pub I’ve had for about six months now, and I’ve worked out it is a brilliant way of turning £100 into about £94 using nothing but costings.
“The only thing that is saving me from financial ruin is the fact that we serve Hawkstone lager.
“If you’ve got a pub and if you want to see if this strategy works for you as well, get in touch with us at our website, and if we like the sound of your pub, if it is the kind of place we want to be in, we’ll send you a free keg.
“88 pints of Hawkstone lager or cider for nothing.”
