Brewed using a new British hop which has been developed exclusively for Ilkley Brewery, Forbidden Fruit is the latest beer created by the West Yorkshire brewery in collaboration with Melissa Cole.
A 5% grapefruit India pale ale, Forbidden Fruit features hop #1391, a brand new English variety, grown this year by Charles Faram hop merchants in Worcester. With expert involvement from renowned beer writer and sommelier, Melissa Cole, the beer’s citrus notes are enhanced with the addition of extra pink grapefruit to make a golden coloured and aromatic refreshing pale ale.
Chris Ives, Ilkley Brewery’s managing director and head brewer, said: “For many years now, British brewers have looked to countries like America and Australia for their hops which are famed for being aromatic and the vital ingredient for distinctive beers with great flavour characteristics.
“However, importing these hops has often been to the detriment of British hop growers so we were delighted when Charles Faram asked Ilkley Brewery to trial brew with hop #1391 and explore the potential of this promisingly aromatic new variety. Results so far have been great which hopefully means this exciting hop will be grown more extensively next year.”
Melissa Cole continued: “It’s amazing that the UK hop industry has come full circle and I for one hope this makes it into full production as the rosy grapefruit aroma is utterly unique and I hope that the underpinning of it with the grapefruit really brings out the truly delicious nature of this hop.”
Forbidden Fruit London launch
On 11 December, Forbidden Fruit will officially launch at the Rake at London Bridge from 19.00 onwards. Chris and Melissa will both be on hand to chat about the beer’s unique new hop while the Rake hosts put the beer through its paces for the pre-Christmas crowds. The Rake is located at 14a Winchester Walk, Borough Market, London, SE1 9AG.
Following its launch in the capital, Forbidden Fruit will then be available at pubs in Yorkshire and London (visit www.ilkleybrewerry.co.uk for listed pubs). Trade orders can be placed direct with the brewery by calling 01943 604604.
To find out more about Ilkley Brewery, visit: www.ilkleybrewery.co.uk or follow Ilkley Brewery on Twitter @Ilkleybrewery and Facebook www.facebook.com/ilkley.
ENDS
Images attached:
– Forbidden Fruit – Ilkley Brewery’s new India pale ale brewed in collaboration with Melissa Cole using hop #1391.
Media contact:
For all Ilkley Brewery media enquiries, please contact Katy Barraclough, Conway PR, on 07813 094945 / 01943 430257 or email katy@conwaypr.co.uk
Notes to editors:
The Ilkley Brewery Co. Ltd. was founded in January 2009 and commenced brewing in May 2009. The now famous Mary Jane , the brewery’s flagship session beer was first brewed in August 2009 and won its first award in September of the same year.
A string of awards has followed with most of the beers now brewed by the brewery winning medals at beer competitions up and down the country.
In January 2011, Ilkley Brewery secured a debt and equity package from Glentrool Capital Partners LLP, who also provide corporate support to help grow the company. This enabled Ilkley Brewery to move from its premises on East Parade to a new 2,600 square foot brewery on Ashlands Road, Ilkley. A new 20 barrel brewing plant was installed allowing the brewery to initially produce 23,000 pints a week.
In October 2011, a new 30 barrel fermenter was acquired, taking production to over 32,000 pints a week. In March 2012, production capacity expanded again to close to 40,000 pints a week.
In January 2012, Ilkley Brewery was crowned one of Yorkshire’s most promising companies in the Government-backed Local Business Accelerators campaign, going onto win the national prize in August 2012 for being one of the country’s fastest growing and successful businesses.
April 2012 saw the launch of the Origins range, showcasing the best in beer styles and brewing. Medina and Siberia were the first collaboration brews with renowned beer writers, and The Chief, Victorian Pale Dinner Ale, Wit Marie, Green Goddess, and Holy Cow have since followed to much critical acclaim.
As of August 2012, bottles of Mary Jane, Ilkley Best, Ilkley Black and Ilkley Pale are available in Morrisons, Asda, Sainsbury’s and Booths supermarkets across the north of England, as well as many restaurants nationally.
Additional SIBA medals for Ilkley Black and Lotus IPA were awarded in October 2012 (Bronze and Silver respectively).
November 2012 saw the first export sales to leave the UK.
In June 2013 the brewery won the London Craft Beer Battle with its new creation MaryJane IPA.