Staffordshires Food and Drink Scene.

Category: Drink

#cancelthecurfew

Dear Prime Minister, This is a letter from the hospitality industry with a stark message. Our industry is dying and the 10pm curfew may be the final nail in the…

Dear Prime Minister,

This is a letter from the hospitality industry with a stark message. Our industry is dying and the 10pm curfew may be the final nail in the coffin.

Up and down the country, our pubs, clubs, bars, restaurants, music venues, theatres, event spaces and all other businesses that fall under the hospitality industry’s umbrella are teetering on the edge. Some are suffering death by a thousand cuts, while others have been ignored and left to starve.

As an industry we directly employ around 10% of the working population and contribute £39billion in direct tax revenue. That doesn’t take into account the contribution from industries that rely on us, from brewers and distillers to farmers and wholesalers. If nothing changes then hundreds of thousands of people will lose their jobs, thousands of businesses will close their doors forever, billions of pounds of tax income will be lost, and the hospitality industry will never be the same again.
We have borne the brunt of the measures announced over the past fortnight. We are vilified as breeding grounds for the virus, yet Public Health England’s own figures show this is not true. In fact, the latest figures show that we have one of the lowest infection rates outside of the home.

We are doing our utmost to make our venues safe for our staff and customers, acting on each new set of guidelines as they are announced, regardless of the notice we are given. However, the measures announced over the past week are the end of the hospitality industry as we know it.

The 10pm curfew has been heralded as a measure that will help to drive down the infection rate across the country. This is patently not true when you look at the figures.

The figures for what it will cost the hospitality industry and the night-time economy are stark. It is estimated that it will cost £5.5million a day in Central London alone, and venues are reporting a 63% drop in revenue since the curfew was imposed. Thousands of venues rely on post 10pm trade, with many taking over 60% of their revenue in that time, some even more than that. These are not “non- viable businesses”, these are venues that have reopened safely since 4th July.

In fact, restaurants, pubs, bars, and everyone in between have spent thousands to become COVID- Secure. To open safely many have taken on debt despite the cloud of uncertainty that hangs over them. Prior to COVID-19 we were regularly checked by Environmental Health Officers and local authorities to ensure we were meeting rigorous standards. Since COVID, these standards have become more stringent, leading to a position where we are one of the most tightly controlled and regulated environments accessible to the general public.
A 10pm curfew drives the public from the safe environment of our venues and into areas with no regulations. From 10pm people flood the streets as seen over the weekend, overwhelming public transport and taxis, and begin to filter back to their living rooms and kitchens for “one more drink”.

We are not asking for unlimited handouts. We are asking to open our doors. To be allowed to do what we do best whilst keeping our staff and customers safe. We are asking for your permission to keep the hospitality industry alive.
Stop blaming hospitality, let us serve. #CANCELTHECURFEW

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Get your tickets for the launch of Chocao

An award winning chocolatier, an award winning gin distiller and an award winning food marketer walk into a pub… It might sound like the start of a joke, but in…

An award winning chocolatier, an award winning gin distiller and an award winning food marketer walk into a pub… It might sound like the start of a joke, but in fact it was the start of Chocao.

A cacao gin liqueur designed to be enjoyed neat as an after dinner drink, Chocao is the result of a creative collaboration between three independent Staffordshire businesses: Staffordshire Gin founders Jason Davies and Claire Gibbs, award-winning chocolatier James Walter of Seed Chocolate, and food and drink marketing specialist Daren Bach from Provoke.

To celebrate the launch, there will be tasting events this February at Ten Green Bottles in Newcastle-under-Lyme and Stone. Ticket holders will have the chance to meet the distillers and to sample Chocao, along with gin-soaked cacao nibs and delicious Seed Chocolate. Afterwards, there will be specially crafted Chocao cocktails on offer as created by Ten Green Bottles’ in-house mixologist, Ben.

The gin-based liqueur is infused with ultra-premium, single origin Peruvian cacao beans, which are more commonly used to make chocolate. The cacao beans are bought via direct trade from an agricultural collective in northern Peru. Every batch is directly traceable to the community where it was grown, thus ensuring there is no child slavery in the production process.The drink is also suitable for vegans.

Jason and Claire distil each batch of cacao gin at Staffordshire Gin HQ in Silverdale. Their popular Black Violet gin recently won bronze at the World Gin Awards.

The cacao beans are sourced and prepared by James Walter of Seed Chocolate, who has received recognition for his bean-to-bar chocolate from The Academy of Chocolate, The International Chocolate Awards and The Guild of Fine Foods’ Great Taste Awards.

Daren Bach, a food and drink marketing specialist, founder of Provoke Marketing & Design and editor of Sauce magazine, is responsible for the branding, packaging and website design as well as marketing activity for Chocao.

Tickets for the launch events are priced at £5 per person.
Book here for Ten Green Bottles Stone on Thursday 6 February.
Book here for Ten Green Bottles Newcastle-under-Lyme on Thursday 13 February.

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Staffordshire shop named winners in ‘Drink Rioja’ campaign

Indie wine shop Wolseley Wine Loft, which lies between Rugeley and Stafford at Wolseley Bridge, has been named Off-Trade Winners of Wines from Rioja’s ‘Drink Rioja’ campaign. The Loft, as…

Indie wine shop Wolseley Wine Loft, which lies between Rugeley and Stafford at Wolseley Bridge, has been named Off-Trade Winners of Wines from Rioja’s ‘Drink Rioja’ campaign.

The Loft, as it’s affectionately known to regulars, beat stiff competition from independent wine shops across the country in a competition run by Wines from Rioja – the UK marketing arm of The Rioja Regulatory Council or Consejo Regulador de Rioja DOCa.

Shops the length and breadth of the country were challenged to celebrate all things Rioja during the month of October. Wolseley Wine Loft impressed the judges through their sheer enthusiasm for all things Rioja and efforts to spread the word among their customers.

Events run as part of the campaign included a wine tasting and talk from Ruben Quintana of Bodegas Manzanos, with the audience treated to tapas dishes which paired beautifully with the wines. The loft’s Dave Eglington gave a Talk & Tasting session at the 2019 Stone Food & Drink Festival on the topic of ‘A flight through Rioja’; introducing the audience to the huge diversity of wine styles produced in the region – including white and rosé.

The shop’s diverse range of Rioja wines – including organic and vegan wines as well as lesser-known grape varieties like a 100% Graciano grape Rioja – also impressed, with special offers available on Rioja wines sold throughout October 2019.

In addition to being named the winner of the competition, The Loft was invited to attend a ‘Rioja Recognises’ awards evening at the superb Eneko Basque Restaurant in London’s Covent Garden, hosted by Master of Wine Tim Atkin, in recognition its work with Rioja in 2019.

Wolseley Wine Loft
Upper Floor, Willey Barn, Stafford, ST17 0XS
wolseleywineloft.co.uk

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All the Tryanuary inspiration you need

As your enthusiasm for New Year’s resolutions, post-Christmas diets and Dryanuary slowly begin to fizzle away, it could be time for a new approach to get you through January. We’re…

As your enthusiasm for New Year’s resolutions, post-Christmas diets and Dryanuary slowly begin to fizzle away, it could be time for a new approach to get you through January. We’re not saying cutting back on your alcohol intake is a bad idea, but why not try something new and a bit special if you can, rather than (pardon the pun) going completely cold turkey?

Tryanuary is the perfect time to explore unusual flavours and discover your new favourite tipple. We’ve been chatting to the beer and wine experts of Staffordshire – our trusty independent bottle shop owners – to find out their not-to-be-missed favourites for you to try this January…

Torrside Cascadian Dark AleTorrside Brewery – Late to the Party Cascadian Dark Ale (Black IPA), 5.5%
“In the spirit of Tryanuary, I recommend trying this Cascadian Dark Ale (Black IPA) from Torrside Brewery. This oxymoronic style combines the malt-driven colour and dark, roasty flavours of darker beers, with the aromas and flavours expected in an IPA – in this case, citrus and piney notes from the New Zealand Southern Cross hops. #BIPAComeback.”

Phil at Otter’s Tears
24 Queen Street, Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, ST6 3EG

A Growers Touch – Durif, 14%
“Your favourite wine must’ve been new to you at some point, but there’s a whole world of wines to try, so let’s get adventurous! How about trying a Durif? A great mix of blackberry, blueberry and mulberry, this wine is rich and powerful – perfect for drinking with a slow cooked lamb or beef pie.”

Dave at Wolseley Wine Loft
Upper Floor, Willey Barn, Stafford, ST17 0XS

Big Drop x Fyne Ales Jam Session raspberry gose

Big Drop Brewing Co. x Fyne Ales – Jam Session Raspberry Gose, 0.5%
“Here at Candid, we’re really enjoying this alcohol-free raspberry sour beer from Big Drop Brewing Co. in collaboration with Fyne Ales. It’s super refreshing, with a nicely balanced earthy tartness, and a mouthfeel that masks its 0.5% ABV. The perfect drop for both Dry January and Tryanuary!”

Mark at Candid Beer
Units 4 & 5, Woodings Yard, Bailey Street, Stafford, ST17 4BG

Saucony Creek – The Bronco Double Dry Hopped NEIPA, 7.8%
“A strong double lactose IPA, The Bronco is brewed by Saucony Creek, based in Kutztown, Pennsylvania – a brewery founded by former X-Games competitor Matt Lindenmuth. Rolled oats and heaps of lactose give this strong IPA a luxuriously smooth mouthfeel and creamy sweetness that balances the Mosaic hops.”

Chris and Robin at Brews of the World
159 Station Street, Burton-on-Trent, DE14 1BN

Midnight Frost Vidal Icewine bottle

Pillitteri Estates Winery – Midnight Frost Vidal Icewine, 11%
“Try this delicious ice wine from one of Canada’s top producers. The grapes are harvested at -8 degrees Celsius, leaving a tiny amount of amazingly sweet juice. Mouthcoating lychee, pineapple and peach are underscored by brilliant freshness. A must-try dessert wine for 2020. Cheers!”

Kieran at Three Pillars
6 High Street, Eccleshall, Staffordshire, ST21 6BZ

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September beers with Candid Beer

Mark and Jess Bamping opened the doors to Candid Beer in Stafford’s Woodings Yard on Good Friday 2019 after years of dreaming, planning and hard work. You can find out…

Mark and Jess Bamping opened the doors to Candid Beer in Stafford’s Woodings Yard on Good Friday 2019 after years of dreaming, planning and hard work. You can find out what Candid’s all about in our interview with Mark in the Autumn 2019 issue of Sauce Magazine, but for here are his top beer recommendations for September…

I recently discovered Lab Culture Brewery in Redditch, and instantly loved the ethos and story that underpins their fantastic beers. ‘Waste with Taste’ is probably one of the more unusual beer descriptors out there, but ultimately that’s what makes Lab Culture a truly unique brewery.

Based on a vertical farm, Lab Culture Brewery uses the excess heat created by the farm to heat and power the brewery. So their green credentials are well up there with some of the better known brewers with an environmentally conscious approach to the brewing process, such as Adnams and, more locally, Freedom. We currently have three of Lab Culture’s beers in stock at Candid Beer, and customer feedback has been really positive. Given their innovative and scientific approach to brewing, many of their beers are named after scientists, with a beer-y twist.

Lab Culture Brewery

Gregor Mendale | Pale Ale | 4.2%

This is the first beer that Lab Culture produced and forms part of their core range. It’s an American style pale ale with a hazy appearance and boasts a super smooth mouthfeel. Although the can doesn’t include details of the hop varieties used, it’s safe to assume it features a typical New World hop bill producing notes of citrus fruits, pineapple, and a hint of pine.

Alefred Nobel | Session Rye IPA | 3.6%

Rye beers are not to everyone’s taste, nor are they everyone’s ‘go to’ style. However, I’d encourage everyone to give rye beers a chance, and particularly this cracker from Lab Culture. It has the characteristic nutty and spicy undertones expected in this style of beer, and this is nicely balanced with fresh grapefruit and pine flavours. As a lower strength beer, it’s the sort of drink you could enjoy over and over.

Speciality Brew No. 002 | Lime & Basil Saison | 4%

As the name suggests, this particular beer falls outside Lab Culture’s core range. Personally, I’m a sucker for a saison – a refreshing Belgian-style farmhouse ale. Typically, saisons are characterised by their high carbonation, dry spicy finish and bready sweetness. This saison certainly features those qualities, and the addition of the lime and basil gives this beer an additional tartness and sweetness that is really refreshing. 

Candid Beer
Units 4 & 5, Woodings Yard, Bailey Street, Stafford, ST17 4BG
candidbeer.co.uk

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Born and bred in Staffordshire

Staffordshire Gin has a bold new brand identity and a website to match. Sauce gets the lowdown from cofounder Jay Davies.  Originally from Newcastle-under-Lyme, Jay moved to London at 18…

Staffordshire Gin has a bold new brand identity and a website to match. Sauce gets the lowdown from cofounder Jay Davies. 

Originally from Newcastle-under-Lyme, Jay moved to London at 18 before travelling around the world, largely led by his tastebuds. He returned to Staffordshire after 17 years to raise his children in the area: “We came back and laid down our roots. People always come back.” They set up the Staffordshire Gin Company just over a year ago.

“Claire introduced me to gin about eight years ago, and I surprised myself by liking it,” says Jay. “We’re always travelling to restaurants and pubs around the local area and the country in our camper van. We saw Yorkshire gin, Manchester gin and so on, but no Staffordshire gin. We thought it needed to happen, so we had a go and that’s how it started.”

Jay and his partner Claire – a graphic designer by background – now live in Silverdale, in a property that was built in 1864, which they have sensitively restored. The industrial heritage of the house and town, as well as the social history that surrounds it, were part of the inspiration for setting up the Staffordshire Gin Company.

“When we bought the house, we had a carrier bag full of keys and another two carrier bags full of history about the house, about the various people who’ve owned it since Victorian times. That set us off exploring and researching what Silverdale would have been like in the 19th century when the mines were being worked and industry was booming.”

Lord John Cadman, an engineer who revolutionised mining in the 19th century, was born in their house – hence calling their still Cadman. The locals in the village nicknamed him ‘Our Jack’, providing inspiration for a namesake cocktail: Black Violet gin, creme de cassis, lemonade and an old fashioned cherry on a stick.

A keen cook, Jay has broken many of his own food rules to find blends of botanicals that will sit well together in their collection of gins. They look for deep, woody flavours for the base notes, whereas citrus notes come through in the middle and the top notes are more floral. Ingredients are carefully combined to build a full-bodied flavour profile.

Original
Cassia bark – lemon – bay
“It is classed as London dry because it comes out of the still at 70% ABV, and is not sweetened in any way afterwards, but it has a little more to it than a standard London dry gin. Its incredibly smooth creaminess takes a lot of people by surprise.”

Black Violet
Black cardamom – sloe – violet
“The black cardamom gives a slightly mysterious and smoky flavour. It does have an edge of violet to it, but it goes deeper than parma violet. It appeals to a lot of people who find other violet gins too sweet or sickly.”

Rose Gold
Cinnamon – orange – rose
“She’s coming into her own. After two years of honing and refining the flavour, we are happy with it the way it is now. It’s based on a Old Tom style gin so it is very slightly sweetened after distillation, and it’s infused with hibiscus and saffron to get the colour.”

With the huge range of gins available these days, it can be difficult for new ones to get noticed, both by consumers and trade professionals. Jay and Claire have worked closely with the team at Provoke Marketing & Design – the team behind Sauce magazine – to rebrand Staffordshire Gin for the modern marketplace.

“I think Provoke have done a marvellous job, both in recognising the quality in our product and making it stand out,” comments Jay. “The original design we did ourselves, but we weren’t very experienced in the F&D business and we weren’t aware of all the things you need to take into account. We love the new branding and the new logo. I think the bottles look tidier, neater, bolder and contemporary. They are instantly recognisable now.”

Over the summer, you might spot Claire and Jay out and about at a range of food and drink festivals and events.

“We’re really looking forward to some of the local ones, and actually serving our drinks and chatting to people,” adds Jay. “I’m doing lots of work with the Gatehouse Theatre in Stafford, and also giving a guest lecture on gin and tonic at the University of Wolverhampton.

“By winter we’re hoping to have relocated. We’re going to move our distillery, open it to the public and do all manner of wonderful things in there. That’s all I want to say about that for now. We’ve got a cacao gin coming out in collaboration with Seed Chocolate. The response has been 100% positive, so we’re going to produce that over the summer. Plus we have a new look website and online shop in the pipeline in partnership with Provoke. So there are lots of exciting things happening.”

The new website is now live, and you can buy Staffordshire Gin online there.

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July beers with Brews of the World

Chris McCormack, co-owner of Brews of the World bottle shop and bar in Burton-on-Trent, is back with some tasty recommendations for July. If you’re stuck for ideas for something new…

Chris McCormack, co-owner of Brews of the World bottle shop and bar in Burton-on-Trent, is back with some tasty recommendations for July. If you’re stuck for ideas for something new to try after a day out on the road or with that last-minute barbecue, head to see Chris and Robin on Station Street and look out for these…

Brouwerij De Brabandere Kwaremont Belgian Pale, 6.6%

Kwaremont Pale Ale

Belgium, where the Tour de France began this year, is regarded by many as the spiritual home of both beer and cycling, especially in Flanders where the two often go hand-in-hand.  And there can be no more appropriate beverage to enjoy while watching la grande boucle this July than the cycling beer par excellence, Kwaremont pale ale.

Deep blond, malty, sweet and refreshing after a long, hot day in the saddle, this beer is perfect for the cycling aficionado in your life. Named after the Oude Kwaremont, the famous cobbled road near Oudenaarde (also known as the ‘calf biter’), its ABV at 6.6% matches the average gradient of this hill which has featured in so many classic bike races in that country over the years.

Ideal food pairings: cheese (if you can find them, Belgian goats’ cheeses such as Chevrin or Cabriolait are perfect) or paté on crackers, casseroles.


Schöfferhofer Grapefruit Wheat Beer Mix, 2.5% 

Schoefferhofer Grapefruit WeissenProbably the most refreshing drink you will enjoy this summer. Schöfferhofer Grapefruit is a half-and-half blend of their wheat beer with a grapefruit-based juice drink. Combining the classic flavours of banana, cloves and spices that you expect from a Bavarian Weiss with the tart, citrusy sweetness of grapefruit, it is incredibly light and gently sparkling.

At just 2.5% ABV it is perfect for a leisurely brunch, a barbecue or just relaxing in the garden on those all too rare hot, sunny days. It can also be incorporated into beer cocktails – anyone for a grapefruit beer bellini? Check out the Schöfferhofer website for further inspiration.

Ideal food pairings: barbecued food, smoked salmon, apple tarts or turnovers.


Tynt Meadow English Trappist Ale, 7.4%

There are only fourteen official Trappist breweries – where the brewing process is entirely undertaken by monks or nuns, within the confines of an abbey – worldwide, and now we have one on the doorstep in neighbouring Leicestershire.

The monks of Mount Saint Bernard Abbey, near Coalville, found that there was no money any more in dairy farming, so they sold their herd and took up brewing instead. Their new offering is in demand and the Abbey, where the monks also make pottery and honey, only produces enough of it to cover their expenses and charitable commitments in accordance with the Trappist ethos.

Tynt Meadow is a strong, dark brown ale, similar to a Belgian Dubbel in appearance and taste, yet unmistakably English. Aromas of liquorice, dark chocolate and rich fruit lead to notes of vine fruit, soft brown sugar, pepper and figs. Finally, smooth, warming alcohol leaves a warm and dry finish on the palate. 

Ideal food pairings: strong cheese, fruit cake, dark chocolate desserts.

Brews of the World
159 Station Street, Burton-on-Trent, DE14 1BN
facebook.com/BOTWBurton/

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June beers with Brews of the World

Chris McCormack and Robin Ludlow opened Brews of the World on Station Street in Burton-on-Trent almost two years ago now. You can find out more about their backstory and the…

Chris McCormack and Robin Ludlow opened Brews of the World on Station Street in Burton-on-Trent almost two years ago now. You can find out more about their backstory and the variety of beers they stock in the latest edition of Sauce magazine.

Here are Chris and Robin’s top picks for June drinking, all available now at Brews of the World.

Rauchbier Weizen, Aecht Schlenkerla, 5.2%

One of the legendary Rauchbier (‘smoked beer’) range from Schlenkerla, who are based in the town of Bamberg in Franconia. Allegedly named after a former brewer whose gangling gait may (or may not) have been due to over-consumption of his own products, Schlenkerla Weizen is brewed with unsmoked wheat malt, barley malt which has been smoked over beech woodchips and top-fermenting yeast (as opposed to lagers which are brewed with bottom-fermenting yeast).

Unfiltered and naturally hazy, this fine beer has spicy notes of cloves and banana – as expected from a Bavarian-style wheat beer – coupled with warm, smoky notes reminiscent of smoked cheese or bacon. At 5.2% ABV, it’s ideal if this is your first foray into German Rauchbier.

Ideal food pairings: seafood, chicken and pork, barbecue food.

Organic Chocolate Stout, Samuel Smith Old Brewery
, 5%

Samuel Smith's Chocolate Stout

Many so-called ‘chocolate’ beers don’t contain any actual cocoa, but make a spurious claim to the name through their use of chocolate malt – barley roasted to a dark colour which can offer similar flavour notes. Always read the label.

Having said that, there are a growing number of chocolate beers that live up to their billing. The cream of the crop is arguably Samuel Smith’s Organic Chocolate Stout from Tadcaster in North Yorkshire – often referred to in brewing circles as ‘The Burton of the North’ due to the local water (‘liquor’ in brewing parlance) being similar in composition with regards to mineral content, making for great pale ales.

It clearly makes for decent dark beers too, judging by this smooth, rich, chocolatey offering with organic cocoa, sugar, hops and barley. It’s syrupy and sweet with a deep chocolatey finish.

Ideal food pairings: ice cream, cake, anything sweet.  Some of our customers mix this in a glass with Sam Smith’s Organic Cherry Beer (also available from us); and claim it tastes like Black Forest Gateau…

Duchesse de Bourgogne Flemish Red AleDuchesse de Bourgogne Flemish Red Ale, Brouwerij Verhaeghe,
 6.2%

This red ale from Flanders – the Dutch (or Flemish) speaking north of Belgium – is a throwback to an older style of brewing which was once much more widespread and shares its roots with other ales, including British porters. A blend of two ales brewed with Lactobacillus bacteria and wild yeasts such as Brettanomyces, Duchesse de Bourgogne is then aged in oak casks.

Known as the Burgundy of Belgium and named after Mary of Burgundy, who lived between 1457 and 1482 and is depicted on the label, this Belgian classic cannot fail to remind you of balsamic vinegar; you’ll also get cherries, tart sourness and berry sweetness.

Ideal food pairings: white chocolate, caramel, strawberries and blue cheese.

Brews of the World
159 Station Street, Burton-on-Trent, DE14 1BN
facebook.com/BOTWBurton/

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May beers with Otter’s Tears

Phil Hardy, owner of Otter’s Tears in Burslem, is back with his final instalment of Spring beer recommendations… This month it’s all about the hops! Much as I love a…

Phil Hardy, owner of Otter’s Tears in Burslem, is back with his final instalment of Spring beer recommendations…

This month it’s all about the hops! Much as I love a good rich malty dark beer, especially at the end of the day, as the weather warms you just can’t beat reaching for a cold, juicy IPA – and boy do we have some beauties in the shop at the moment.

With that firmly in mind, I’m kicking off with an old favourite of mine that has returned revitalised after a short period of absence: Ageless IPA from Macclesfield brewers RedWillow. “A blast from the past, our old school IPA takes no prisoners, hopped right through the boil and dry hopped to death. Upfront it is all tropical fruit and aroma, then it finishes with a long and assertive bitterness.”

I’ve known Toby and Caroline at RedWillow for many years and consequently have drank a lot of their beer. Ageless has always been a favourite, but there’s something about this release that is setting it apart – it’s just so drinkable. So drinkable in fact that I bought myself a full case to take home and it’s my current go-to fridge filler. That is definitely a first for me, because as you can imagine I’m rarely short of choices for a beer.

WxY4 Southern Hemisphere IPA is the result of a meeting of minds between Geordie brewers Wylam and New Zealand based Yeastie Boys, possibly the best name for a brewery EVER. “The tetrad edition of the OG juice bomb. Brewed annually with our favourite NZ beer boys Yeastie Boys. This year’s sacred hop offering delivers fresh Nelson Sauvin, Galaxy, Moutere and Motueka.”

Last year’s release WxY3 was one of my beers of the year, so I’m super excited to be able to get lots of this in to lubricate you through the next few weeks. Expect it to be big, dank and juicy, with grape-like flavours and hints of pepper: overall super refreshment!

The grand finale this month is a bit of a beast in more ways than one, a 10% Imperial IPA with beautifully ferocious can art to match. Illicium Imperial Milkshake IPA is from Manchester’s masters of lactose, Wander Beyond Brewing. “Part of our Milkshake range. We upped the hops, lactose, oats and vanilla to deliver a smooth, fruity and sweet dessert style IPA. Well hopped with Mosaic and Citra. This juice smoothie is as enticing as an illicium – the luring light of an angler fish.”

Wander Beyond have produced some incredible beers in the last year or so and whilst not all of them have used lactose in the brewing process, the imperial stouts and massively fruited imperial IPAs like this one have firmly cemented them as favourites in the current craft beer scene. Crazy sweet, thick and juicy, it’s basically hoppy custard!

Check out find Phil’s March and April beer picks, or head straight to Otter’s Tears to browse the vast selection on offer and get some personalised recommendations.

Otter’s Tears
24 Queen Street, Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, ST6 3EG
www.otterstears.beer

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April beers with Otter’s Tears

We welcome back Phil Hardy, owner of Otter’s Tears in Burslem, for more beer recommendations this month… Following on from last month’s instalment, I thought I’d focus on breweries that…

We welcome back Phil Hardy, owner of Otter’s Tears in Burslem, for more beer recommendations this month…

Following on from last month’s instalment, I thought I’d focus on breweries that have meant a lot to me over the years – people who have become firm friends as well as brewing the beers I love and can trust to deliver.

Torrside brew in New Mills up in the High Peak. It’s a democratic set-up between 3 experienced home-brewers – Chris, Nick, and Peter – with support from their long-suffering partners, one of whom is the talented artist who designs the labels for each beer. The guys started out with the mindset of wanting to brew what they loved to drink, and this is reflected in their smoked beers, imperial strength monsters, and well-balanced hop-bombs. With that in mind, I’ve sneaked in two beers for one here.

Torrside Sto Lat GrodziskieZenkai Pale Ale, 3.7%
Part of a two-way collaboration with Bramhall’s Made Of Stone. A simple, crisp malt base allows Mosaic and Chinook hops to come shining through in the aroma. With plenty of grapefruit and mango flavours, Zenkai is a delicious session pale ale perfect for the changing season.

Sto Lat Grodziskie,  2.8%
Grodziskie is a traditional Polish beer style brewed using 100% oak-smoked wheat, and Sto Lat stays as true to the style as possible. Ultra-pale with plenty of fizz, it owes its refreshing bitterness to Polish hops. The smoke comes through particularly well in such a low ABV beer, with an end result lying somewhere in the unexplored hinterland between champagne and smoked ham! Head Brewer Chris thinks this beer perfectly represents Torrside; I think it will also appeal to the flavour loving readers of Sauce.

Northern Monk Seismic Shift DDH IPAI’ve followed Northern Monk from long before their first brew. Back even before current head brewer Brian’s mammoth, year-long training journey with some of the world’s finest brewers across multiple continents, we have a long history and friendship. The Northern Monk Patrons Project is an initiative set up to foster collaboration, creativity and community between artists, athletes and creatives across the North. This is their latest release, which features peel-able label art from amazing street-style artist Tank Petrol.

Seismic Shift Double Dry Hopped Double IPA, 8.5%
Simcoe hops feature prominently in this beer, bringing passionfruit, grapefruit and dank pine to the forefront. It carries tangerine notes of Amarillo, the tropical flavours of Citra and Mosaic and finally a touch of floral, citrus Loral. A high percentage of flaked oats in the grist, plus a touch of wheat, ensure a soft mouthfeel. Fermentation with their IPA yeast of choice leaves an accentuating sweetness with generous peach and apricot esters.

Durham Brewery DiabolusOur final beer is from Durham Brewery and is a bit of a beast. Durham have been at this brewing malarkey for a long time, so they know a thing or two about good beer. I was first introduced to them around 2010 and was immediately hooked by their mastery of tradition and willingness to embrace innovation. I helped launch their White Stout, a beer with the qualities and flavours you’d expect to find in something black as pitch, whilst being pale and transparent. I also built a Twitter-led international Imperial Stout tasting session around their beautiful Temptation Russian Imperial Stout, which leads perfectly onto the third beer: Diabolus, a variation on that brew.

Diabolus Rum Cask Aged Imperial Stout, 11.5%
In a very limited edition of just 600 bottles, this batch of Diabolus – like all the others – is a variation on the theme of Temptation. Durham have matured the beer in oak rum casks, resulting in a deep dark colour with flavours to match. Aromas of rum and black treacle with hints of oak precede a body that’s creamy and full, with strong liquorice flavours. Sharp, fresh morello cherry and damson notes cutting through this rich umami body, and the finish is long and lingering.

You can pick up April’s picks at Otter’s Tears this month, and find Phil’s March beer recommendations here.

Otter’s Tears
24 Queen Street, Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, ST6 3EG
www.otterstears.beer

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