Beer Today’s regular round-up of news in brief: new releases, venue openings, event announcements.
There are three specials for March from Stancill Brewery. Archer (4.3% ABV) is a single-hop pale ale, made with the British hop of the same name. It balances traditional British bitterness and floral character with hints of lime and peach. Harlequin (4% ABV) again champions a namesake British hop, offering a big aromatic bang typically associated with American varieties, alongside delicate, tropical flavours. Nightshift (4.5% ABV) is a returning porter utilising eight special malt types for a balance of toasty chocolate flavours and roasted aromatics, topped off with a dose of Pilgrim hops for bitterness.
Neon Raptor have new hoppy beers this week. Marble Staircase (6% ABV) is an easy-drinking NEIPA, featurig Strata, Simcoe Cryo, and Amarillo hops, chosen by Jevon, the newest and youngest member of the brew team. It’s his first recipe, shining with aromas and flavours of passionfruit and ripe orange, with a floral finish.
Psychic Dancehall (4.6% ABV) is a light and hazy pale full of Azacca and Idaho 7 hops for gently bittersweet citrus and tropical flavours and aromas. It’s named after an independent music festival in Derby on Saturday, 21st March, hosting an eclectic line-up including The Orbital, Haiku Salut, and Voka Gentle.
The Fairham, in Clifton, Nottingham, has re-opened after a £572,832 refurbishment — owner Proper Pubs’ largest ever capital expenditure project.
Inside, the pub has been completely transformed with new flooring, fixtures and fittings. There’s a new main bar and snug area, including four sports scenes.In addition, the pub has a new games area, two pool tables and two dart boards.
Outside, The Fairham has new lighting, signage, painting, and fencing, and three refurbished gardens with two TVs and a pool table.
Neon Crossing, from Bristol Beer Factory, is born from the idea of a Tokyo IPA, partnering the best elements of light and crisp lager, except slightly dry and very citrussy. The IPA zing in the 5% ABV beer comes from West Coast hops Citra and Amarillo, which give notes of grapefruit, lime, lemon and orange. Sorachi Ace keeps things spicy, with a pinch of dill.
The Surrealist (5.5% ABV) is a new Belgian witbier from Vocation, a bright, refreshing Belgian-style wheat beer. Expect vibrant citrus upfront from orange peel and coriander, followed by notes of grapefruit and lime, with a light herbal hop character. Classic Belgian yeast brings soft clove and subtle bubblegum notes, all wrapped up in a gently rounded body and a crisp, refreshing finish.
Two US hop varieties, Citra and Simcoe, take the lead in Mystic Day, a 6.5% ABV hazy IPA from Left Handed Giant. Two New Zealand varieties, Superdelic and Motueka, back up that rich citrus character, adding an orange spice, while a beam of unmistakably Motueka lime shines through.
Results from the European Beer Challenge are in, and there are medals for three British breweries.
Gold medals go to: Round Corner Brewing, Beneath the Streets (Kellerpils class); St Peter’s Brewery, Christmas Ale (barley wine); St Peter’s Brewery, Cream Stout (sweet stout); Round Corner Brewing, Frisby Lager (closest to a German pilsner); Pinter, Guinness Dublin Porter, Brewer’s Edition (brown porter); Round Corner Brewing, Jandals & Togs (gluten-free beer); St Peter’s Brewery, Organic Best Bitter (standard pale ale/bitter); Round Corner Brewing, Steeplechase Pale Ale (American-style pale ale); St Peter’s Brewery, Winter Ale (strong dark ale); and St Peter’s Brewery, Without Original (alcohol-free beer, top fermentation).
Silver medallists were: St Peter’s Brewery, Plum Porter (fruit beer); and St Peter’s Brewery, Golden Ale (English golden ale).
Bronze medal winners were: Round Corner Brewing, 10 Hours in LA (Pacific IPA); and Round Corner Brewing, Drovers Hazy Session IPA. The full results are here.
