Mitchell Krause Showcase
We’ve written before about ‘cuckoo’ brewers – those who have to use the facilities of others to get their brewing done. Whilst it may be an unfortunate term, it’s a necessary option in the current climate, where the outlay on a bespoke facility is simply too expensive for many. It has become a useful stepping stone from the experienced homebrewing stage to the local artisan brewery. Hepworth’s in Horsham brew for all kinds of labels other than their own (such as Ridgeway and Coniston), and also since 2009 they have brewed for Mitchell Krause, who are based a long way from Sussex in Workington, Cumbria.
As with many ‘contractees’ the company is run by just one man – Graeme Mitchell, who for many years worked for Whitbread and Carlsberg. Turning his back on the mass-produced side of things, he combined his surname with that of his German-born mother and formed Mitchell Krause. You can tell he spent a number of years in the business, as rather than produce a range of session ales and Cumbrian bitters, Graeme decided to go down the more interesting (and commercial) route and put out a series of global beer styles – a Bavarian hefeweizen, a Czech pilsner, and an American Pale Ale.
Mitchell Krause Czech Pilsner No 1 (4.2%)
All of Graeme’s beers are faithful reproductions of the classic styles – his pilsner uses the spicy Saaz hops you’d expect. It certainly looks the part – an extremely clear golden pour, but there’s not much carbonation – only a thin lacing and little rising through the beer. Aromas are slightly floral and a bit fruity, on the palate it’s bitter with a touch of biscuit before the earthy pilsner flavours come through. The finish is a touch thin and soapy maybe, but as pilsners go, MKCPNo1 is a decent example.
Mitchell Krause American Pale Ale No 2 (3.8%)
Next up, an American Pale Ale – a 3.8% American Pale Ale at that. This one contains Target, Cascade and Willamette hops – and the nose certainly reveals the presence of the second of those. Fruity citrus aromas, very typical APA scents come from the hazy golden pour. Unfortunately, this is the highlight – on tasting there’s almost nothing going on. A mild hoppy start washes away very quickly without the punch of alcohol to back it up, and the whole thing finishes in a disappointing watery thinness.
Mitchell Krause Bavarian Hefe Weiss No 3 (5.0%)
The third offering is the pick of the bunch, however – possibly no co-incidence that it also has the highest abv. As with the others, it has a nice aroma – the typical sweet, banana, yeasty notes are really inviting. These all come through on the palate as well, together with a touch of pear and clove. With the yeast following into the finish it’s quite sweet, but never cloying – a great example of a weiss.
