The BeerCast

The theory sounded highly plausible. Whereas in the first Battle of the Brewers (between Stewart Brewing and Williams Bros Brewing) it was immediately evident which beer was produced by which company – this time, it wasn’t so obvious. Back in July, just a quick sip of each 5% summer ale was enough – that distinctive caramel sweetness from Williams, put against the Holyrood-esque gentle hopping of the other. Clearly Beer X came from Loanhead, and Beer Y from Alloa – and so it proved. But last night, as Stewart took on Harviestoun in BotBII – a Black IPA-off – it was much harder to tell. But I had a theory.

There was a noticeable difference between the two beers. Beer X came with a white head, and a nose full of grassy hop. Although there was some caramel, and a roasty finish, the hops really were the prime component of the flavour – as you’d expect, from a Black IPA. Beer Y had a beige head, and was infinitely more complex, with less hop, but more roast. Richer – and smoother – than X, it ended in a mocha coffee finish. Creamy – almost to the point of an old milk stout, it was very different from what you’d expect a Black IPA to be. This, of course, led into the familiar discussions on beer styles and how important they are (the consensus being that on the whole; they aren’t).

But, which was which? And which was nicer?

I preferred Y – even though I love hop-forward Black IPA’s. There was just something a bit extra in the flavour to Y, an extra element. I loved the smooth, creamy finish. To be honest, I think I loved it because it reminded me of a great roasty stout and it was close to freezing outside. Obviously, if we were judging solely on style it was far behind the X. However, taste trumps style (nearly) every time.

But back to the theory as to who was responsible for each. Both make some decent hoppy beer, although with their peerless Old Engine Oil Harviestoun have a longer history of the darker offerings. The deviously clever idea I had came from lateral thinking. Very recently, Stewart have done another run of their lovely Coconut Porter – aka ‘Bounty in a glass’. I could see the resemblance to Y. It would be easy enough to add a touch more hop before the coconut went in, and cask it. Both the Coconut Porter and Beer Y have that smooth, creamy edge. I could see how they fit together. Therefore – Beer Y was from Stewart Brewing. Yes! Of course!

Beer Y was produced by Harviestoun, Beer X by Stewart.

In the voting, Y scored 52 to X’s 100. So for the second Battle of the Brewers in succession, it’s a win for the home team. Next up, BotBIII – Stewart vs. BrewDog*

*Note – this may not actually be true

It really is a great time for Scottish brewing at the moment, with new producers appearing left, right and centre – and also a long way north of the centre. Until now, the Black Isle was home to one very successful brewery, but the non-island (like Monster Island – it’s actually a peninsula) has a second – the Cromarty Brewing Company. Founded last year by Heriot-Watt graduate Craig Middleton, they recently released their first beer – Happy Chappy, a 4.1% NZ/US-hopped pale ale. This week, Craig was back in Edinburgh setting up contacts with many of the city’s pubs (a tough day’s work by any standard).

We caught up with him at BrewDog Edinburgh, and after a couple of 2/3rd’s* of Lagunitas IPA and the quite brilliant Evil Twin Istedgade Hipster Ale, we chatted about his philosophy and how he’s been getting on so far. Beginning with a 4% session beer is a great way to get local interest in his business – particularly in a part of Scotland with plenty of thirsty farmers. But Craig’s second beer is something very different, and he’s got a huge amount of enthusiasm for things he could do in the future. “I’ve got hundreds of ideas”, he says. Certainly, if one particular plan comes off, it could be something entirely new in Scotland.

Having secured funding from the Scottish Government’s Rural development scheme, together with an Inverness bank, the money raised has been invested in an impressive kit. Craig’s experimental streak has already resulted in the production of an eisbock – Happy Chappy entombed in ice until the abv hit 8% (and re-named Chilly Chappy). With a bottling plant in-line and soon to be in place, look for good things to come from Cromarty over the next few months. Edinburgh drinkers can get to grips with both of their beers (although probably not the eisbock) at the Kilderkin on Friday the 17th of February.

*Yep, now you have to ask for ‘a two-thirds of Evil Twin Istedgade Hipster Ale, please’ rather than ‘pint, barman’

This week sees the beginning of one of the more keenly anticipated ten-day periods in Edinburgh – the start of the Bow Bar’s annual winter beer festival. From Thursday the 26th the famed Aitken tall founts will be dispensing (via air-pressure) a range of specially invited cask ales, with several kegged beers also appearing. With very probably only a single barrel of each arriving, be sure to keep an eye out for the Bow’s (twitter feed) as new beers come on.

For the uninitiated, the Bow Bar is one of Scotland’s best pubs – a classic, one-room, mirror-lined drinking house. No music or other distractions (unless the rugby’s on), and with literally several hundred whiskies to go for if a nip towards oblivion is required – it’s simply a must-visit if you find yourself in the city. Even if you’re normally a fan of lively pubs with plenty going on, the Bow is all about the drink – and everyone can agree on that, surely?

So what to sample? Looking at the beer list, fans of the hair-curlingly strong stuff (i.e. BeerCasters) will be delighted – in no particular order there should be Highland Old Norway (9.0%), Brodies Superior London Porter (7.3%) and Hoxton IPA (6.6%), Magic Rock Cannonball (7.4%), Fyne Ales Sublime Stout (6.8%), Orkney Skull Splitter (8.5%), Williams Profanity Stout (7.0%) and Thornbridge Yule (7.4%). There’s an afternoon to savour.

Some rare Scottish beers that will certainly be interesting include Stewart Brewing’s Chilli Reekie (6.2%), Broughton Winter Fire (4.2%), and Cairngorm’s German-style rye beer Roggen (4.3%) – all are certainly worth a punt. Cairngorm’s new neighbours Loch Ness Brewing have three ales down on the list, so look out for those. Also it’s heartening to see that Demon Brew at the Prestongrange Gothenburg have resumed production after the tragic death of Roddy Beveridge, with their classic Porter.

From further afield, the new and unusual (which for me is always the best thing about beer festivals) include the Liverpool Craft Beer Co with their 3.8% pale ale Icon, Allendale’s Winter Dunkel (4.6%), and Box Steam’s Funnel Blower Vanilla Porter (4.5%). I’ll also be after Redemption’s kiwi hop-packed Big Chief (5.5%), and the style-bending Ossett Indian Winter Ale (5.0%).

Oh, and Highland brewing’s Bow-exclusive 3.9% citra beer – called simply Citra…

The Bow Bar’s winter festival runs from Thursday 26th January to Sunday 5th February 2012. Check their Twitter feed for up to date information, or their website for directions. We’ll be posting the best of the beers on offer after the festival ends (or maybe during, if there are that many)…

What would Mel drink?

Scotland is dominating the news agenda at the moment – so either the national team has just lost to San Marino, or it’s something to do with independence. The thorny I-word has appeared again, dragging itself onto the front pages like a mythical sea monster emerging from the Highlands. The SNP administration at Holyrood is locked in a battle with the Con-Dem coalition in Westminster. At stake – the future of the Union. Will the Scots people be given a referendum? Will the vote be Yes, or No?* And more importantly – what effect will Scottish independence have on beer?

If granted the chance to ‘run our own affairs’ (as the SNP mantra has been for the past thousand years) – this could have a critical impact on brewing north of the border. Recently we’ve been looking to the future – with our beery predictions for 2012, and then our list of breweries to look out for over the next twelve months. So delving even further into the BeerCast crystal ball – here’s what could happen to our beloved beverage if Scotland pulls away from the Union…

2012
Scottish First Minister Alec Salmond rejoices after David Cameron’s gamble backfires spectacularly. Given the referendum sooner rather than later, Salmond picks the date to co-incide with the Olympic track cycling. Chris Hoy wins another five gold medals, and Scotland votes for separation faster than a Branflake-powered knight of the realm. Salmond celebrates with a Punk IPA atop Edinburgh Castle, but mistakenly picks one brewed in London.

2013
The UK Government re-instates the 1725 Malt Tax, forcing Scottish brewers and distillers to become more creative. Keg beer production soars, Scott and Bruce Williams become leaders of a tartan-clad brewing underground movement, adding Tunnocks teacakes to every boil. Caledonian recalls all casks of Deuchars IPA from England – MolsonCoors step into the void, and Sharp’s Doom Bar appears in every pub south of the border. Their CEO gets a knighthood.

2014
President Salmond toasts the 700th anniversary of the battle of Bannockburn with a Scottish sauvignon blanc, global warming having really taken hold. Citizens of the People’s Republic of Scotland drink heather and juniper-infused wheatbeer on pavement cafés from Dunbar to Inverness. The SNP coax Rob Hill from his Orkney realm, and appoint him brewmaster laureate. BrewDog relocate to Wales in a fit of pique.

2015
The Labour party win a landslide in the UK general election, despite David Cameron banning Scots from voting. President Salmond congratulates Prime Minister Balls, sending him a keg of Black Isle 80/Euro. The new Labour administration removes anti-bootlegger barriers at the Scottish border. As a result, Scotland returns to the fold of the UK. Wales becomes independent. BrewDog relocate to the Isle of Man.

*Rumour has it Alec Salmond has requested ballot papers to list the options as AYE!!! or Naw.

As we head into the New Year, the UK brewing scene seems to be in great shape. The economic climate might be as bad as a Scottish hurricane, and the Government seems intent on sticking it to everybody in the industry (with a few, notable, exceptions) – but this is a fantastic time to be a beer drinker. Whether you like traditional foamy pints of cask ale, or tonsil-stripping keg beer in funny glassware – 2012 could be very good for British brewing. Why? Well, we think several breweries are going to have breakout years.* Here’s our list of the players who are about to step up – from both sides of the border…

SCOTLAND

Tempest Brewing Co
Considering what they did in 2011, this year could be when Kelso’s Tempest Brewing becomes a major name in UK brewing. Brewer Gavin Meiklejohn has already produced some astonishing beer from his plant in an abandoned dairy in the Scottish Borders. RyePA was one of our beers of the year – but any of half a dozen could have featured. Tempest are our tip to look for in 2012 when it comes to Scottish brewing.

Black Isle Brewery
If there’s one producer north of the border that seem rejuvenated, it’s Black Isle. A new sales and marketing team in 2011, coupled with a new head brewer (Colin Stronge, ex-Marble of Manchester) – and all of a sudden the 4% pale ales have been shunted aside by barrel-aged this and Imperial that. The session beers are still there (some having been gently tweaked) – but Black Isle aren’t so much on a roll as a Highland charge. Don’t believe us? Here’s what they have planned…

Luckie Ales
I’ve never been to Stuart McLuckie’s tiny brewery, located somewhere in the midst of the Fife countryside. I imagine there’s a small barn where you have to turn the second flowerpot on a certain shelf to gain access. The beers Stuart produces taste like they come from the chamber of an underground genius – delivered by hand to only a couple of Scottish outlets, they are as rare as beer gets. Look for great things from Luckie in 2012.

Stewart Brewing
The most anxiously-awaited signature in Edinburgh since that to cancel the trams has finally taken place (although the trams are still with us). Loanhead’s Stewart Brewing have finally received permission to relocate their facility to…Loanhead. Moving round the corner means more room for Steve, Jo and the team – already pushed to the limit. It also means a chance to experiment more, and to add to their lineup this year.

Loch Ness Brewery
The Benleva Hotel in Drumnadrochit gained a small two-barrel plant last year, and after a sensible amount of time getting ideas together – look out for the Loch Ness Brewery in 2012. Both their cask and bottling operations begin in earnest very soon, so for what is pretty much an entirely unknown quantity, hopefully good beer will be the result. There are a few recent start-ups in Scotland now, June’s Scottish Real Ale Festival could see plenty of new faces.

ENGLAND

Summer Wine
Being based in Edinburgh, we often find out about English brewing news second-hand – from some of our peers over the border. Holmfirth’s Summer Wine Brewery blazed a trail through the Yorkshire blogosphere last year – and they have the potential to go even bigger in 2012. Keen to experiment, and at that stage where anything seems possible, a new beer every other week could be the order of the day for many months.

Tyne Bank
We do stretch our legs sometimes, however, and in November we Twissup’d around Newcastle with many other beer fans. One of the day’s many highlights was a trip to Tyne Bank (another being their Cherry Stout). Having only begun in May 2011, they are clearly run the right way – by people with a genuine passion for beer. As their distribution network increases throughout 2012, they are definitely ones to watch over the near future.

RedWillow
The world loves an underdog, and in brewing there’s no bigger hill to climb than opening a brewery by yourself. Toby McKenzie took the plunge in late-2010, opening the RedWillow Brewery in an industrial unit in Macclesfield. His oyster stout – Fathomless – was one of our best new beers of last year, and his blog really brings home how hard it is to brew for a living. But with Toby’s determination, RedWillow will make it.

Lovibonds
Henley’s Lovibonds Brewery aren’t new on the scene – they were founded in 2005, following in the footsteps of their namesakes who traded in the town for just over 50yrs. Jeff Rosenmeier and his team make all kinds of beer, in all kinds of different ways. Three weeks ago several of their products reached Scotland for the first time – at the opening of Glasgow’s Bruadar Bar. If more follows, the secret could be out.

Mallinsons Brewing Co
Is there a harder working brewer in Britain than Tara Mallinson? Fans of hoppy golden ales in Huddersfield have been spoiled for choice over the last five years or so. Currently working on their 250th(ish) creation, Mallinson’s know what they do well, and stick to it. Every one of their beers I’ve tried has been incredibly drinkable – if they keep going at the same pace, global session dominance awaits.

So that’s our list – undoubtedly there will be plenty of other new UK breweries that will capture the attention over the next twelve months, and many more existing producers who will raise their games in 2012. We couldn’t fit them all on this post – which are you looking towards for great things this year?

*And when have we ever been wrong?