One of our favourite collaboration experiences as a brewery has been with Vasyl, Lana and Igor from Varvar Brew. They flew over especially to brew with us in 2018, when we brewed MAVKA for the first time. The name of the beer traced back through Ukrainian mythology, and the inspiration for the beer was a recipe mashup between our ‘Shattered Dream’ and Varvar’s ‘Caribbean Dream’ porter. The Varvar team were the only brewery to visit The George & Dragon with us, long before we’d taken ownership.

In the summer of 2014, Vasyl, founder of Varvar, along with his family, fled from occupied and war-torn Donetsk to Kyiv. They were left with nothing, a beautiful 3 storey, destination taproom among what was left behind. Following the Russian invasion in 2022, their future once again became unclear. Lana immediately helped to form the #DrinkersForUkraine campaign, a worldwide fundraising effort as a direct response to the humanitarian situation in Ukraine.

We brewed a special batch of Mavka, with all revenue being donated to the campaign, in addition to some other fundraising initiatives. Together, we raised an incredible £19,755 for the cause.

Recently, we came across the work of NOXAIDUK, through the involvement of James Clarke, Managing Director of Hook Norton Brewery. NOXAIDUK, with the NOX part being North Oxfordshire, has been fundraising, sourcing vehicles and supplies, and transporting them straight to people in need in Ukraine. Starting in March 2022, Hook Norton’s involvement began as the community needed a consolidation point for donations, and the brewery’s vans were also able to be utilised.

James explains: 

“I do some voluntary work for South Central Ambulance Service, and wanted to try and acquire an ambulance to send out.  However the need was for 4 x 4 vehicles, to deal with poor road infrastructure, and to bring casualties to a place of safety.  Our first 4 x 4 was driven out in March 2022, then two more in May 2022, and we have grown from there.” 

“Over 70 4 x 4 trucks, 4 ambulances, a car trailer, and a refrigerated van (which is used for body recovery) have all been delivered over the last 2 ½ years.  We fundraise for the vehicles, but all volunteer drivers pay their own travel and accommodation to drive them out to Ukraine.”

The team, which consists of 4 people who generally manage the activity, has now undertaken an incredible 16 trips. Vehicles are driven via Eurotunnel through France, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany and Poland, and then crossing the border to hand them over in Lviv. Photographic evidence is taken of all deliveries, which are aimed to be made directly to end users.

NOXAIDUK has held a number of fundraising activities which we’re now delighted to add to. We’ll be donating 50p from every MAVKA can sold, and 50p per pint sold through pubs.

In addition, Siren Reading is hosting our very own fundraising evening. On Monday 11th November, there will be a Charity Quiz Night, with the £3 entry per person cost going directly to NOXAIDUK. You'll also get to hear from the NOXAIDUK team directly on the work they've been doing, and join in with some other initiatives on the night.


Thank you for your support on this incredible work, and we truly hope you enjoy the very special beer.

Buy Mavka