Derek Prentice (British Brewer of the Year 2013-14) and Sara Barton (British Brewer of the Year 2012-13) have collaborated to brew a new beer called ‘Brewer’s Dozen. The name relates to the widespread opinion that beer is liquid bread, so it is only fair that brewers should share the same dozen as the bakers! This coupled with the fact that the British Guild of Beer Writers award for both Sara and Derek’s British Brewer of the Year title spanned 2013.
Brewer’s Dozen is a 5.5% ABV SPA (Special Bitter) and was brewed at Sara’s brewery, Brewster’s in Grantham. As a thank you to members of the Beer Writers Guild for awarding the accolades, Derek and Sara would like to invite guild members for a free pint of Brewer’s Dozen on May 7th at the Mad Bishop & Bear pub in Paddington. Venue address below.
The inspiration for the beer also derived from the baker’s dozen as the beer was brewed to an Original Gravity (OG) of 13˚ Plato. This is typical of the SPA’s historically brewed by many brewers who would name them Best or Special Bitter on the bar.
With the ingredients Derek said ‘ As Sara and I are fortunate to have been awarded the title British Brewer of the Year we wanted to reflect that by using all British malts and hops.’
The beer was brewed using East Anglian barley malt , caramalt and crystal malt, with four varieties English hops –Fuggles, First Gold, Admiral, and Target. First Gold and Admiral are fairly recent varietals, bred in Kent by leading hop breeder Dr Peter Darby.
Sara said ‘ Derek’s signature is to dry hop with Target, which we did, and we also added Admiral into the fermenter to impart to the beer the enhanced oils, aroma, and flavours almost unique to English hops.’
Derek and Sara will be at the Mad Bishop & Bear on May 7th for a chat with you from 6pm. They hope to see you there but don’t delay as there is only one free firkin (72 pints!)
Tasting Notes
Aroma: Summer fruit and marmalade
Palate: Rich, fruit malts, marmalade and a satisfying finish.
Yeast: Brewster’s top cropping ale yeast
ABV: 5.5% ABV
Details of Brewer’s Dozen launch and free pint for Guild Members:
Date: Wednesday May 7th 2014
Time: From 6pm
Venue: Mad Bishop & Bear, 1st floor (above Yo Sushi and M& S Food), Paddington Station, London W2 1HB
For more information please contact Jane Peyton:
Email: jane@school-of-booze.com
Telephone: 07729 601 590
Derek Prentice Hands-On Emptying the Mash Tun During
Brewer’s Dozen Brew Day
Sara Barton & Derek Prentice Preparing Hops
On Brewer’s Dozen Brew Day