As a collaboration with Moon Gazer, this beer had to have a hare themed story. David at Moon Gazer suggested the German folktale of the Hare and the Hedgehog. A German story is a bit different for us as at Brid’s Cross, but it made sense as we were brewing a German Porter.

One morning the hare made fun of the hedgehogs crooked little legs. The hedgehog then challenged the hare to a race to win a golden sovereign and a bottle of brandy.

Hare and hedgehog set themselves ready in adjoining furrows to run the length of a field. The hare soon took the lead and didn’t look back. However, the hedgehog ran just a few steps before stopping.

At the other end of the field the hedgehog’s wife leapt up shouting, “I’m already here!” just before the hare reached the finish line. The hare, not being able to tell the difference between the hedgehog and his wife, was both confused and annoyed.

He demanded that they race again, with the same result. In all they run the race 74 times, before the hare collaspes and dies from exhaustion!