As some may have seen on Twitter already, YES! I have collaborated with Mallinsons and we have created a beer which will be available at Manchester Beer and Cider Festival for everyone to try.
Obviously, there was some sort of a decision process we had to endure.
Where to brew? Huddersfield – my kit is far too tiny!
What to brew? Tara and Elaine obviously must share the rebellious streak I have in my nature, because within about 10 seconds it was decided that we were definitely not brewing a pale, single hopped ale. So we went with dark, brown, multi-hop. Exactly what everyone would expect. Not.
ABV? What the hell! 6.0%
Brew day was great, I was made to feel so welcome by Tara, Elaine, Nick and Sandy (who brewed up a couple of times – good lad!). I confess I was struggling at times to work out where the hell all the pipework went etc. It’s amazing how many completely different ways there are of doing exactly the same thing!
It was interesting that they have the same lack of lunch break thing going on as I do – luckily I was early (I did have a lie in after all ha ha) and got a butty from the shop next door to the Star Inn. Too early to knock on and say hello to Sam though. Anyway, lunch is for wimps.
I like to think I’m pretty good at digging out the mash tun but I got fed up 3/4 of the way through and handed over to Nick. My average brew has 180kg of malt – there was nearly 500 in this one!
Anyway, brewing is brewing, I was bitten by the copper (steam burn) blah blah blah. We did it it and I am looking forward to having a try myself – as I was back on the other side of the Pennines I didn’t get the pleasure before it was racked!
See you at Manchester Central!
