The BeerCast

The first podcast of any year is always one to look forward to – as tradition dictates it’s our BeerCast Beer of the Year show. As highlighted in our recent preview, the four highest scoring beers we could find from the podcasts recorded in 2011 are re-sampled, and a winner picked. Previous winners are Anchor Christmas Ale 2006 (2007), Hop Back Summer Lightning (2008), Stone Ruination IPA (2009) and Odell Isolation Ale (last year), so whichever beer came out on top this time, it would be in good company. The four beers in our BOTY show were Rogue St Rogue Red Ale (5.2%), Kernel IPA Citra (7.2%), Sierra Nevada Southern Hemisphere Harvest (6.7%), and Thornbridge St Petersburg (7.7%). It’s always interesting to re-taste beers, as they can be very different a second time around…and so it was to prove. Our Beer of the Year panel consists of Shovels, MrB, Richard and Grooben…

1. Dry Hopped St. Rogue Red Ale (5.2%abv) 22oz glass bottle
Rogue Ales, Newport, Oregon.
BeerCast#58 scored 34/40 (85%) 15th February 2011
Originally tasted by Richard 8½; Grooben 8½; Shovels 8½; MrB 8½

What They Say – “Reddish copper in color, a roasty malt flavor with a hoppy sprucy finish.” [Official Website]

What We Say…
Grooben – Really very malty, more than I remember
MrB – Mine’s got floaters in it, did I like this?
Richard – As close to an American session beer as you can get
Shovels – Still like it, and I still love the aroma

2. Kernel IPA Citra (7.2%abv) 330ml glass bottle
The Kernel Brewery, Bermondsey, London.
BeerCast#59 scored 36½/40 (91%) 29th March 2011
Originally tasted by Richard 10; Stu 9½; Shovels 8½; Grooben 8½

What We Say…
MrB – These bottles are six months old, it’s lost some aroma
Grooben – Lost some of it’s Citra-yness impact on the shelf
Richard – Back then it was absolutely great, though
Shovels – Thin, with a hoppy aftertaste, then a musty yeastiness

3. Southern Hemisphere Harvest (6.7%abv) 22oz glass bottle
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co, Chico, California.
BeerCast#58 scored 34/40 (85%) 15th February 2011
Originally tasted by Richard 9; Shovels 8½; MrB 8½; Grooben 8;

What They Say – ” Robust hop character presents an intriguing floral-citrus aroma leading to layers of fresh-hop spiciness. Enjoy!” [Official Website]

What We Say…
Shovels – Nice bit of malt backbone to it, I really like this
Grooben – Difficult to distinguish from their standard beers
MrB – I like it, but it’s no more tasty than other SN beers
Richard – Maltier and more body than the Kernel, it’s a bit soapy

4. St Petersburg (7.7%abv) 500ml glass bottle
Thornbridge Brewery, Bakewell, Derbyshire.
BeerCast#64 scored 26/30 (87%) 20th October 2011
Originally tasted by Richard 9; Shovels 8½; Grooben 8½

What They Say – ” Rich and dark with smoke, subtle peatiness and the power of the dark malts. Molasses and liquorice and chocolate goodness all wrapped up in a smooth, warming liquid.” [Official Website]

What We Say…
Grooben – Wonderful balance to it, with no harshness
MrB – I’m not used to drinking stouts, it’s still very tasty
Richard – Absolutely cracking beer
Shovels – Lovely flavours, just a great beer

So those were the thoughts – or re-thoughts – of the panel during the tasting of the four beers that had made it through to the final. The next thing to do was go round the table and give our rankings from 1-4 on the night, plus a beer each that we enjoyed over 2011 and felt deserved a special mention…

Grooben
“1. Thornbridge… 2. Kernel… 3. Sierra Nevada… 4. Rogue… My favourite beer I’ve had this year is St Petersburg, it’s fantastically smooth and brilliantly made.”

Shovels
“First for me is the Rogue – I still liked it even though it had bits in, it had a great balance. Second – it’s a tough one, I’m going with the Kernel on memory, then St Petersburg, then Sierra Nevada. I can’t think of anything that’s really stood out for me this year – I’ve been too busy homebrewing.”

Richard
“My first on the night and in general is St Petersburg – it’s just a fantastic beer, second is Kernel IPA Citra, which is my favourite beer I’ve had this year. That for me was the Kernel beer that really pulled everything together. Third is Rogue because I really like it still, and fourth is Sierra Nevada.”

MrB
“Number 1 is St Petersburg, No 2 Sierra Nevada Harvest. I think I’ll have to go Kernel and then Rogue. But it’s not like any of them are bad. My favourite beer this year – 1000IBU from Mikkeller – which these days is where you have to go to make me go Mmmm. I spent 2-3hrs drinking a bottle in Ghent, and I loved it.”

So in the end there was a unanimous winner – Thornbridge St Petersburg becomes our fifth BeerCast Beer of the Year – and the first stout to take the Golden Mouthchart. Congratulations to all in Bakewell – yet another accolade to add to the pile! Second place – for the second year in a row – Kernel with IPA Citra. The two Americans were next, with Rogue’s St Rogue Red Ale picking up third, ahead of Sierra Nevada’s Southern Hemisphere Harvest. Four worthy beers, but one worthy winner.

But at this point we were only half-finished – our panel then tasted four more beers – the traditional ‘end of BOTY surprise’ involved four unusual adjunct-enhanced beers from Bières Bourganel in the south of France. Listen to our tasting after the BOTY voting, and check back to the website in a few days for a full review post on four very different beers. Many thanks to everyone who downloaded or subscribed to our podcasts in 2011 – we’ll be recording many more in 2012 – stay tuned..!

• Listen to the episode on Soundcloud here:

• Or here if you’re on iPhone/iPad: BeerCast #67 – Beer of the Year 2011
• Subscribe to the podcasts in iTunes or our Site Feed

At the start of the year we predicted big things for a few UK brewers in 2012. Some were experienced players looking to make the next step – others complete beginners starting out. The new boys aside, we’d already sampled plenty of beers from the other producers – so can feel fairly confident in our predictions. One brewer we’ve never tried, however, are (or rather were) Henley’s Lovibonds. Having recently got hold of two bottles from a retailer in London, it was time to put them to the test – and see if our enthusiasm was well-founded…

Lovibonds Henley Dark
Paying homage to London porters of old, Henley Dark contains seven different malts – including one smoked with beech wood from the Chiltern hills. Coming in at 4.8% and 40IBU’s it actually looks like a Coke float – ruby red and highly effervescent. The aroma is fabulous – smoky chocolate, with fruit in there as well. Chocolate on the palate, it’s quite bitter and prickly – with noticeable smoke on the aftertaste. I wasn’t expecting that at all – it really brings a nice sub-flavour to the beer.

Lovibonds 69IPA
Part of the ‘new generation of IPAs’, 69 was produced using the Hopinator – which is either a turbo-powered dry hopping machine, or the best Gladiators name ever. Lovibonds founder and head brewer Jeff Rosenmeier hails from across the pond, so naturally wants to pound hops into everything, given the opportunity. 69IPA is full of those delicious piney, citric hop aromas that modern beer fans go all gooey over. Tropical on the taste, with more pine and a touch of alcohol – it’s completely wonderful, and so drinkable. One of the best British IPA’s I’ve ever tasted.

We’ll hopefully be getting more Lovibonds beers in the near future – so stay tuned for our reviews. Rumours are they’ll be appearing in Scotland with increased regularity…

Lovibonds website

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?

Predictions! Who would make ‘em? As a year ends with flurries of ‘best-of’ lists, so traditionally the next begins with things to look out for. Harder to argue with – but easier to be wrong about – here are the BeerCast’s five bold/misguided predictions for 2012. Feel free to quote this article back to us at a later date…

HomePicobrewers raising the bar

Homebrewing is hip. Gone are the days of the despairing boozehound fermenting things in his shed to get a cheap hit (and anyway, MrB has a scullery). Of course, you can still end up making beer for 30p a pint or whatever – but the availability of small kit and ingredients has seen a surge in quality. More and more picobrewers are bottling and even labelling their products. Whether following Stone recipes, or pulling things from cupboards – in 2012 take a chance on a friend’s homebrew. If they love beer, chances are they know how to make it too.

Alternatively – That macaroni and bay leaf wheat beer is a step too far – at least you know a homebrewing manual would make the ideal Christmas present. If you can stomach their offerings until December…

Beer bars as destinations

You would travel to a great restaurant, if you’d heard that it did the finest cuisine in your area. Once again – where food led, beer can follow (although God help us if we ever get Michelin starred beer). For every great pub, there will soon be a great beer bar. Have a night out in either – spread the love. Hit the session beers at the Grape & Granny, then another night, treat yourself at the Stranraer Tap. It’ll happen – look for many more pretentious/awesome bars to open throughout 2012. There’s no point in fighting it.

Alternatively – The global price of chrome and pork pies goes through the roof. Trains run on time, leaving no need for platform-based drinking. Greenpeace picket BrewDog for using as much CO2 as Australia. Mild becomes popular again…

BrewDog get competition

Speaking of the pups from Fraserburgh – and as a Scottish beer blog we’re duty bound to do so with every post – their model (love it or hate it) has been so phenomenally successful, look for others to copy soon. Imitation is, of course, the sincerest form of flattery, and there are plenty of edgy characters who would love to take time out from listening to Kasabian to emulate James and Martin. Whether in it for the beer, or simply the money, this year you might see a few more stunts, and read a lot more label weirdness. Only it won’t have originated in Kessock (or Meantime, under contract).

Alternatively – BrewDog report themselves to the inland revenue for failing to pay import tax on their colossal Simcoe addiction. The resulting hop shortage torpedoes would-be copycats, leaving the pair to recoup millions from their AB:Clink, a 69% quadruple grey IPA malted with prison gruel…

More takeovers

Sharp’s of Cornwall fell to MolsonCoors early last year. In the States, the giant macro behemoths have already started taking scalps in the ‘craft’ market – as our friends at the Aleheads (or BeeryLeaks, as I call them) have reported. Something similar could happen here this year, as larger UK producers realise they need another weapon in their armoury. So look for InBev to acquire St Austell, Theakston’s to bury that family hatchet, and Thwaites to sell out to Venky’s.

Alternatively – Mystified by the continued lack of investment interest, Evin O’Riordain appears on Dragon’s Den, offering a percentage of the Kernel Brewery. Duncan Bannatyne is out straight away, but one Dragon does offer Evin the money he needs – look out for Kernel S.C.A.Paphitis.NS in 2012…

Beer becomes mainstream

Ever feel the urge to rip up the Sunday supplement when you flick past the weekly wine column and find only stairlift adverts? We may be preaching to the converted here, but beer is where it’s at these days. It may not be on Saturday Kitchen yet, but the time can’t be far away. This year, watch for the beer scene to be the new cider. Alastair Hook appears on the Secret Millionaire. The British Guild of Beer Writers to get powers of arrest. Alfie Moon serving imperial saisons at the Queen Vic. It could happen.

Alternatively – WKD Blue becomes the drink of choice for the average man, Animée for women. MolsonCoors and the SHS Group combine to buy all British media, enforcing a crackdown on any liquid that isn’t the colour of copper sulphate…

All of these things could come to pass (albeit probably not to the extent we think). For more crystal ball clarity – join us on Monday, as we list the UK breweries who we think are going to have breakout years in 2012 – and really go on to big things…