BeerCast #68 – Summer Wine Showcase
For 2012 we’re plunging into an Olympics-frenzied maelstrom of patriotism, and for the whole year only featuring British brewers in our podcasts (well, until we get to Christmas – you can’t have a Christmas BeerCast without the Anchors). First up in our year of best of British is a showcase of one of the most promising producers in the whole United Kingdom – Yorkshire’s Summer Wine Brewery. Having started a handful of years ago, the two guys behind the project (James and Andy) have come incredibly far, and are putting out a range of styles in a variety of different methods of dispense. That is surely something to celebrate. On the panel today – Richard, Shovels, and a BeerCast debut for our 22nd panelist – Calum.
1. Covenant (5.2%abv)
Summer Wine Brewery, Honley, Holmfirth, Yorkshire.
330ml glass bottle
What They Say…
“Continental speciality malts provide the slightly sweet backdrop. A rich, reddish amber hue is the canvas for the best US hops to paint their picture; one of citrus, tropical and piney hop impressionism. An easy drinking, lowly bittered, high aroma delight of a beer.”
What We Say…
Calum – Brewed for a wedding, I can see why – everyone would like it 7
Shovels – Nice peachy smell, nothing wrong with it at all 7
Richard – Doesn’t taste too strong, nice hoppy profile to it 6½
2. Teleporter (5.0%abv)
Summer Wine Brewery, Honley, Holmfirth, Yorkshire.
330ml glass bottle
What They Say…
“A Rich dark porter brewed with 10 different malts giving a sweet roast richness that is balanced with just enough fruity hop character. Smooth fruity notes lead you into a dreamy malt body, where notes of cocoa, caramel and vanilla melt into a moreish finish.”
What We Say…
Richard – I could smell that all day, rich, creamy chocolate 9
Calum – Strong mouthfeel and a lovely milky sweetness 8½
Shovels – Fruity at the end, it’s very nice 8
3. Barista (4.8%abv)
Summer Wine Brewery, Honley, Holmfirth, Yorkshire.
330ml glass bottle
What They Say…
“Dark malt bitterness leads to roast coffee set against a sumptuous creamy mouthfeel. Ground Arabica coffee is added to this beer at the end of the boil and allowed to steep, giving you a real coffee hit throughout. The beer finishes with a touch of forgiving sweetness.”
What We Say…
Shovels – Initial disappointment, but I actually quite like it 7
Richard – Lower abv coffee beers have more drinkability but you have to trade off some of the body 7
Calum – Roasty coffee aroma – the Teleporter is more rounded 6½
4. Lime & Coriander Saison (6.0%abv)
Summer Wine Brewery, Honley, Holmfirth, Yorkshire.
330ml glass bottle
What They Say…
“A light & fresh fruity Saison, the fresh zesty estery yeast plays beautifully with the slightly peppery coriander followed by a refreshing blast of zesty citrus lime. A light fruity & hugely drinkable farmhouse ale that conjures thoughts of spring & summer.”
What We Say…
Richard – The herbal edge wraps into the wheaty part, limey aftertaste 8
Shovels – Get both coriander and lime, sparkly and refreshing 7½
Calum – Not a style I’m fond of but it’s floral and easy going 7
5. Cohort (7.5%abv)
Summer Wine Brewery, Honley, Holmfirth, Yorkshire.
330ml glass bottle
What They Say…
“You may have had Black IPA, but you’ve never had a Double Black Rye PA.
Cohort is a double IPA brewed with Pale, Rye, Carafa and other speciality malts that marry together with a plethora of New World hops and a Belgian Yeast to create something entirely unique.”
What We Say…
Calum – Perfectly balanced, really smooth, this has got everything 9½
Richard – I like the malty flavour and the rye spiciness 8
Shovels – Rye adds great body, it’s the best beer of the night 8
Panellists – (clockwise from top left) Shovels, Calum, Richard
BeerCast panel verdict
Summer Wine Cohort (25½/30)
Summer Wine Teleporter (25½/30)
Summer Wine Lime & Coriander Saison (22½/30)
Summer Wine Barista (20½/30)
Summer Wine Covenant (20½/30)
- Listen to the episode on Soundcloud here:
- Or here if you’re on iPhone/iPad: BeerCast #68 – Summer Wine Showcase
- Subscribe to the podcasts in iTunes or our Site Feed
Stay tuned for our next BeerCast, as we get to grips with another podcast brimming full of British beers for your listening pleasure…
