Moorhouse’s – the acclaimed ‘Pendle Witches’ brewer – has revealed a raft of adventurous special ales for a ‘bewitching’ 2014.
Brewed with innovative European and New World hops along with traditional British varieties the seasonal range is backed by a full colour brochure to help publicans plan their guest ales throughout the year. Since the launch of a new £4.2m brewery in 2011, the fast growing Burnley brewer has added to its five award winning core brews each month.
January retains winter seasonal Ice Witch (4.2%abv) featuring the scarce Citra hop. February sees the arrival of new brew Cold Spell (3.6%abv), a ‘warming roasted/light amber coloured beer, brewed with Maris Otter malt and a touch of crystal and chocolate malts for extra flavour’. British Target hops are used to give a hint of cedar and liquorice on the aroma.
In March a new higher strength Moorhouse’s IPA (5.5%abv) will be rolled out as ‘a big hitting flavour packed IPA’. Generous helpings of New Zealand Nelson Sauvin and Rakau hops provide ‘complex notes of chardonnay like grapefruit and gooseberry backed by hints of citrus and passion fruit’.
For April the popular golden clear wheat beer White Mist (4.2%abv) is back – wheat beer ‘with a smooth creamy head, a full generous mouth feel and refreshing dry finish’.
May welcomes the first roll out of Eldorado (4.2%abv). This is golden coloured beer, single hopped with American Eldorado to give a ‘rich full flavoured beer with aromas of apricots and peaches, backed with a sweet biscuit taste from Maris Otter malt’.
VCA (Vanilla Cream Ale – 3.9%abv) returns in June following its successful debut last year to feature New Zealand Wakatu hops and Madagascan bourbon vanilla.
Summer drinking peaks in July with On ur Bike (4.2%abv) to celebrate the arrival of the Tour de France to the UK. This is beer in the style of the classic French Bierre de Garde – blonde bierre with an upfront sweetness from the pale, pilsner and Munich malts ‘leading to a dry lingering finish’. Floral notes are provided from the French Alsace hop Aramis, backed with a hint of lime from the Slovenian Aurora hop.
August welcomes back Pure Witch (4%abv) for the second year; Maris Otter malt paired with the Calypso hop for ‘citrus like aroma followed by full malt biscuit like flavour with ripe peach and pear fruit overtones.’
September sees the inaugural rollout of First Cut (4.2%abv) brewed with Maris Otter malt from the first cut of Moorhouse’s exclusively sourced barley combined with East Kent Goldings hops.
The dark days of October are matched with dark premium brew Black Cat Reserve (4.6%abv) rising for the Halloween season. This is based on the brewer’s famous Camra Champion Beer of Britain Black Cat ale but with the use of the Polish Junga hop. An intensely dark beer it boasts ‘deep complex notes of roasted coffee chocolate and mocha, balanced by hints of dark cherry and blackcurrant.’
American IPA (5%abv) revisits for a sturdy November tipple while the Citra hopped Ice Witch (4.3%abv) will again provide tropical fruit sparkle for the 2014 festivities.
David Grant, Moorhouse’s managing director, said: “In these tough times, our priority is to help our publican customers succeed by offering appealing seasonal ales with security of supply and sales support. So once again our brewers have worked with leading hop supplier Charles Faram to source a wonderful variety of hops and brew bewitching specials to tantalise their cask ale drinkers.”
Ends/MHPR- Seasonal beers for 2014
For further information contact: Steve Hobman, Rhino Public Relations: 07751 578605. email: shobman@rhinopr.freeserve.co.