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Beefeater Gin Country of Origin
Beefeater Gin originates from the United Kingdom.
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Beefeater Gin Origin/Origin of Beefeater
The Beefeater gin origin can be traced back to 1862 in London, England, when 27-year-old James Burrough bought the Cale Street-based Chelsea distillery from Rectifier & Compounder, John Taylor, for the sum of £400 and started to produce his own distinctive style of gin by 1863.
At first, the distillery continued with the production of liqueurs started by its previous owners, further establishing its reputation and extending its customer base.
The 1876 company stock lists showed an increasing portfolio of gins with brand names such as Ye Old Chelsea and James Burrough London Dry, as well as Old Tom styles.
By spending time experimenting, inventing and using new processes he discovered that blending a particular recipe of botanicals produced a bold, full-flavoured gin, which he named Beefeater Gin.
After the almost instant success of the gin, it was soon made the James Burrough Company’s flagship product.
The original Beefeater recipe book dated 1895, specifies that nine botanicals are essential (juniper, angelica root, angelica seeds, coriander seeds, liquorice, almonds, orris root, seville oranges and lemon peel) to create the full-bodied and robust flavour so distinct in this gin.
The gin was owned by the James Burrough Company until 1987, when under the direction of Alan Burrough, the company was bought by Pernod Ricard.
Where Did Gin Originate?
Gin originated in the Netherlands, specifically in the 17th century during the Dutch Golden Age.
The word “gin” is derived from the Dutch word “jenever” or “genever,” which means “juniper.” Originally, gin was created as a medicinal liquor made from juniper berries and other botanicals.
It was believed to have health benefits, particularly for treating ailments such as kidney and stomach disorders.
The production and consumption of gin spread to England during the late 17th century due to the influence of Dutch soldiers and sailors. English soldiers fighting in the Dutch War of Independence brought the drink back to England, where it gained popularity. However, it was the introduction of the column still and the subsequent production of “London Dry Gin” in the 18th century that led to the rapid expansion of gin’s popularity in England.
Today, gin is produced in various countries around the world, but its origins can be traced back to the Netherlands. The production methods and botanical recipes have evolved over time, leading to a wide range of gin styles and flavors available today.
Beefeater Gin Name Origin/Beefeater Name Origin/Beefeater Origin Name
So what is the origin of the name Beefeater?
The gin’s name refers to the Yeomen Warders, commonly known as the Beefeaters, who are the ceremonial guards of the Tower of London, and a bodyguard of the British Monarch.
Why Are Beefeaters called Beefeaters? Why Are They Called Beefeaters?
The origin of the term “Beefeaters” is not entirely clear, but it is commonly believed to have originated from the fact that these ceremonial guards were given daily rations of beef by the monarch.
In the past, beef was considered a more luxurious and high-quality meat compared to other options, and it was often associated with the diets of the wealthier individuals.
The Yeomen Warders, as the Beefeaters are officially known, have been guarding the Tower of London since the Tudor period. The tradition of providing them with beef rations likely began during the reign of Henry VII in the early 16th century. While the exact reasons for the term “Beefeaters” remain somewhat uncertain, it has become the widely accepted nickname for these ceremonial guards. Today, the Beefeaters not only fulfill ceremonial duties but also serve as guides and historians, sharing the rich history of the Tower of London with visitors.
Who Owns Beefeater Gin?
Beefeater is a brand of gin owned by Pernod Ricard and bottled and distributed in the United Kingdom, by the company of James Burrough.
What Proof is Beefeater Gin?
It is 47% or 44% alcohol by volume (94 proof or 88 proof) in the US and 40% alcohol by volume (80 proof) elsewhere in the world (including the UK).
According to the Beefeater website, Beefeater London Dry Gin has “big juniper character and strong citrus notes”. It contains nine different botanicals: juniper, angelica root, angelica seeds, coriander seeds, liquorice, almonds, orris root, seville oranges, and lemon peel.
The makers of Beefeater recommend that it be drunk in a gin and tonic made with one part Beefeater gin and 2 parts tonic, along with a wheel of lemon and one of orange.
Beefeater makes more gins than the Beefeater London Dry Gin that it is so famous for.
Some other gins produced by Beefeater include:
- Beefeater Pink Strawbery Gin (the original dry gin recipe plus natural strawberry flavoring)
- Beefeater Blood Orange Gin (made with Seville orange peel and blood orange flavor)
- Beefeater Zesty Lemon Gin
- Beefeater London Garden
- Beefeater 24 (marketed as Beefeater’s superior dry gin – the 24 refers to the 24 hours of steeping the 12 botanicals used to make this gin, which include Chinese and Japanese teas), and
- Burrough’s Reserve (a limited-edition, oak-rested gin that is distilled using James Burrough’s original copper “Still Number 12.”)
Beefeater as a brand uses many botanicals in the production of their gins: Beefeater London Dry Gin is made using 9 botanicals, Beefeater 24 is made with 12 botanicals, while both Beefeater’s pink gin and blood orange gin use 10 botanicals.
Beefeater is an environmentally friendly brand and, at the start of 2021, it decided to launch a new design for its bottles. This new bottle is 100% recyclable: the existing plastic cap has been replaced with an embossed aluminum cap, and the bottle’s PVC labels have been swapped for paper alternatives.
Beefeater estimates these changes will allow the brand to save 410 tons of plastic annually – equivalent to 17 million standard plastic water bottles.
Beefeater bottles its gins at different alcohol strengths in different markets.
One of the reasons that I don’t drink Beefeater more often is that, at 47% ABV, which I have purchased before in the market I live in, this is quite a bit stronger relative to the 40% ABV gins that I am used to.
Beefeater knows how relatively strong its gins are and so in 2020, they reduced the 47% ABV version of the London Dry Gin to 44%.
Where Is Beefeater Gin Made & Can I Visit?
If you are interested in knowing more about the Beefeater brand and the production of Beefeater gins, it is now possible to take a tour of its Beefeater gin distillery in London, England.
Tours take place between Wednesday and Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. with tour start times occurring in 2-hour intervals. Tours begin at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.
To find out more about tour pricing and availability, click here.
Photo Credits: Liquor.com