There was something in the air on Wednesday evening in Whitchurch—and it wasn’t just the mouth-watering aroma of sizzling steak. It was community spirit, cold beer, and the unmistakable warmth of a homecoming done properly.
The White Hart, a pub with character and charm in spades, welcomed back its much-loved landlord Nick Panterlis with a full-blown South African braai to mark both his return and the official launch of Arkell’s Malthouse Lager in cans—a first for the Swindon-based independent brewery.
A longtime favourite among locals, Nick first took the reins at The White Hart in 2017. After spending time back in his native South Africa, he’s returned to the bar—and the barbecue—bringing with him the kind of energy and connection that only a true publican can deliver.
Punters enjoyed traditional South African fare, including boerewors and droëwors, cooked over flames the old-fashioned way. The beer? Arkell’s best-selling Malthouse, now in its freshly canned form, chilled to perfection and served straight from the cooler.
Julie Moss of Arkell’s Brewery said:
“It’s fantastic to see Nick back behind the bar. He’s part of the pub’s fabric. His return, combined with the Malthouse can launch, gave the night a real buzz.”
The event neatly coincided with Indie Beer Week (11–20 April), a national celebration of independent brewing. With Head Brewer Alex Arkell also in attendance, chatting with drinkers and pouring pints, there was a proper sense of pride in what makes small-batch brewing so special.
Malthouse Lager—crafted using local barley and Saaz hops—is no stranger to awards. Known for its clean, crisp taste, it undergoes a longer, slower fermentation process than most commercial lagers. Instead of relying on pasteurisation, Arkell’s use a gentle triple micro-filtering method to preserve the full character of the beer—resulting in a flavour that’s refreshing yet complex.
Alex Arkell commented:
“We’re incredibly proud of Malthouse. It’s been a long time coming to see it in cans, and it holds its own beautifully. The can launch during Indie Beer Week is perfect timing—and doing it at The White Hart, with Nick back in charge, made it even more special.”
The cans feature the official INDIE BEER mark—a badge of trust and quality that highlights a beer made by hand, not machines. It’s the first Arkell’s product to bear the mark, with plans for more in future bottling runs.
While The White Hart continues to serve Malthouse Lager on keg, the new cans offer a portable way to enjoy the brew wherever you fancy—whether in your garden, on a picnic, or beside a firepit with friends.
Arkell’s Malthouse Lager Cans are now available online and at Arkell’s Grape & Grain Wine & Brewery Warehouse.
