Orbit Beers has used a porter created in 2022, in collaboration with Anspach and Hobday, as the base of a re-creation of a running porter, from 1861.
While most of the original brew was enjoyed fresh, Orbit had bigger plans for the final barrel.
“For two and a half years, we’ve let it mature with our house blend of Brettanomyces yeasts, creating something truly remarkable,” says the brewer.
The result is 1861 Keeping Porter (8.4% ABV). It drinks like a fine wine, smooth and complex, with crimson hues reminiscent of vintage burgundy. Each sip reveals layers of rich cocoa and vanilla from the oak-ageing, luxurious leather notes, deep fig sweetness, malted biscuits, and a sophisticated balsamic complexity, says Orbit.
The brewery has also released its much-anticipated Damson Blend: Cuvée de Cologne 2024, which comes in at 6.8% ABV.
This year’s blend has been aged on organic English damsons in Orbut’s unique solera system, where fresh Nico meets its barrel-aged predecessor. It offers delicate aromas of toasted hay and oaky vanilla, with hints of lemon sherbet funk. The addition of damsons brings a jammy sweetness that balances the beer’s bready malt character and champagne-like dry finish.
