In early August brewers from Gloucester Brewery, Hillside Brewery, Prescott Ales and Velvet Owl Brewery joined Favourite Beers at Cheltenham’s DEYA Brewery, to brew two very unique beers for Cheltenham and Gloucester Beer Week.
“We plan to donate the profits from these two beers to National Star College”, said British Guild of Beer Writers member Leigh Norwood. “National Star College do great work, helping people with disabilities realise their potential as equal and active citizens in control of their lives. But rather than just give money to the College, we involved the students and staff in the whole process. The students provided the design artwork for the cans and beer badges, College Head Chef Joe Parke helped out on the brew days and he will also host one of the ‘Beer Week’ events at the college in September”.
The first collaboration beer was a Triple IPA with a target ABV of 11%. This will be pale, full-bodied and guaranteed to be super-hoppy after extensive dry hopping. The 7% Export Stout will be English hopped (Bramling Cross), and enriched with cocoa nibs. Velvet Owl Brewery supplied their Scottish dark beer yeast for the Export Stout.
The first two brew days needed three separate mashes to produce enough ‘wort’ for the Triple IPA. On Friday two further mashes were required for the Cacao Nib infused Export Stout.
“It was great to see all the brewers get together, share ideas, co-operate and have fun whilst creating two great beers,” said Leigh Norwood. “It’s what ‘Beer Week’ is all about, working together to showcase the talents and quality of all those involved in the Cheltenham and Gloucester beer scene”.
Both beers will be unfiltered and unfined. They will only be available at ‘Beer Week’ venues during the week itself, in keg and can packaging. Both beers will be launched at DEYA Brewery and Favourite Beers on Friday, 14th September. See www.cgbw.beer for more information and event listings. The recipes for both beers are:
TIPA
Grain Bill: Super Pale (96%), Chit (4%), Wheat (4%).
Hops: Magnum (bittering), Simcoe, Mosaic and Eldorado added to the whirlpool.
EXPORT STOUT
Grain Bill: Pale Low Colour (74%), Brown (10%), Chocolate (5%), Oats (3.5%), Arome (2.5%), Carafa lll (2.5%), Roast Barley (2.5%).
Hops: Magnum and Admiral (bittering), Bramling Cross added to whirlpool + cocoa nibs.
Cheltenham & Gloucester Beer Week
Launching on Friday 14th September and running until Sunday 23rd September, this year’s Cheltenham and Gloucester Beer Week welcomes back its Ale Trails, which have previously proved to be hugely popular. The Ale Trails encompass 35 popular venues, with seven routes spanning Gloucester and Cheltenham. A detailed map is available at cgbw.beer, together with details of all the events and partners. Pick up a paper map for collecting stamps at any of the venues to win prizes at the end of ‘beer week’.
Further information: Leigh Norwoodleigh.norwood@favouritebeers.com