A collaboration between the 2024 Brewer of the Year, Dominic Driscoll, and the 2024 Michael Jackson Beer Writer of the Year, Ruvani de Silva
Thornbridge Brewery and Ruvani de Silva have collaborated on a limited edition cask ale in recognition of their joint recognition at the 2024 British Guild of Beer Writers Awards.
The beer, which will be released on March 3rd, is a nod to Ruvani’s Sri Lankan heritage and Thornbridge’s ongoing commitment to quality and innovation – combining classic modern IPA flavours of Amarillo and Citra hops with a Maris Otter-forward malt blend and two traditional Sri Lankan spices.
Ruvani is the first woman of colour and the first queer person of colour to win the Michael Jackson Beer Writer of the Year award, and the first writer to win in five categories in the same year. Her work tells stories of beer culture, history and community, with a focus on issues including DEI, sustainability and innovation, with an international perspective.
Dominic started brewing at Marble Brewery in Manchester in 2005, where he spent 6 years before moving to Thornbridge at the end of 2010, where he has been production manager for the past 14 years. When not conjuring up award-winning brews in Bakewell, he likes growing vegetables, cooking and travelling.
The RUVANI was inspired by a homebrew that Ruvani made with her husband during lockdown, and combines two South Asian spices with contrasting but complementary flavours, both known for their healing antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Ginger’s tangy sweet heat is often paired with turmeric’s warm, earthy bitterness in dishes including teas, curries, soups, health drinks and even desserts – so why not beer? Thornbridge have used their brewing experience and expertise to adapt Ruvani’s concept into a British-South Asian fusion IPA bursting with bright hops and an exciting new-to-beer spice blend.
This unique beer will be available on cask at the Thornbridge taproom in Bakewell as well as all seven Thornbridge pubs, and can be purchased for pub sales by contacting Sales@thornbridge.co.uk.
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