A joint venture between Liverpool Organic Brewery (covered on many occasions in this blog, thanks to their efforts in Beer Festival Events over the last few years, plus rather free and easy brewery tours) and John O’Dowd, Landlord of the Belvedere on Sugnall Street, Liverpool Gin has been created at a time when we are seeing a resurgence in ‘premium’ products for the food and drink market. In a somewhat paradoxical shift to the current economic downturn that is still lingering across many areas of the UK, the appetite for better food, better beers (both in terms of cask and keg ‘craft’/bottle conditioned) and indeed cocktails. Each of these has seen a rise in demand across the UK through new establishments putting down roots in our cities, stemming from London and diffusing out to other cities, including Liverpool. History states that many cities in the UK including most ports had their own Gin Distilleries present at one time or another. Despite all the negative connotations with Gin (See Hogarth’s Gin Lane propaganda and the rather negative moniker of ‘Mother’s Ruin’ which Gin acquired), it is now a rather fashionable drink and not just during summer months when the obligatory refreshment of sliced lemon or lime and heaps of ice is sought. Many food and drink programmes and other media outlets have been championing the rise of artisan Gin and styles that require other sundry flavour agents aside from citrus fruits. For a while cucumber has been associated with the likes of Hendricks, some others work best with grapefruit or mint. With Liverpool Gin, the addition of juniper berries and watermelon is a slight departure but one in keeping with the premium nature of the spirit. The distillery have held a number of tasting sessions in Liverpool now (including sales at recent beer festivals at Waterloo Christ Church and St. George’s Hall) and have rolled out production with more intent, supplying small batches out beyond Liverpool to other Gin purveying establishments in the capital, such as the Gin School night at Charlotte’s Bistro. There are a number of bars and pubs in Liverpool, which now stock Liverpool Gin; which has diamond like clarity with a fresh and punchy aroma with a slight herbiness lingering, giving a rather clever amount of length to the Gin. Having tried both the orange and berry and the watermelon and juniper combinations, the latter gives a slightly more interesting compliment with a good quality tonic. The tastings that I have personally attended prove that the distillery is keen to listen to its intended audience and build on the early momentum. Speaking to John O’Dowd from the Belvedere, I asked him a few questions to delve a bit deeper into why he had invested so much in this product…
I asked how did he become so fascinated with Gin that he felt the need to set up the Ginasium and ultimately release his own brand of Gin? John: “I spent a lot of time in Madrid and saw the growth and interest in gin so created Ginasium so Liverpool could enjoy as many gins as possible (noted a lot of competitors coming in to Belvedere and quietly taking photos of Ginasium and creating their own gin range). Then after tasting small batch production Bourbon I realised there was an opportunity to create a Liverpool gin.” When asked about how did the collaboration with Liverpool Organic Brewery came about, giving rise to the product, John replied that Liverpool Organic Brewery were supplier to Belvedere and so he came to know Mark Hensby (MD of Liverpool Gin and Liverpool Organic Brewery) personally. When John came up with the idea of gin and needed a partner as he didn't have time to do it by himself and suggest to Mark; who said "Distillery! I'm not sure about that". When John looked at his emails next day, there was one at 7.30am from Mark - “I've been up all night researching -- I think it’s a great idea!” So where does John see the distillery being in a few years time? Producing other Gin/lines of spirit? He was a little coyer on the subject, answering that “Currently there is enough to do with Gin and we do expect to expand the gin range later this year and we expect to have considerable activity over the summer over the International Festival Business.” At £36 a bottle, it isn’t a cheap item to pick up, indeed it weighs in around £10 heavier on the wallet than some other premium Gins. But then there’s a reason things of such quality hurt your pocket a bit more than larger production batch spirits, this becomes evident when they address your tastebuds in a manner you’re not usually used to. This is an excellent Gin and it can proudly wear its Golden Liver bird on its label for some time to come. Cheers! Pedro. ----- Liverpool Gin Web: http://www.liverpoolgin.com/ Liverpool Distillery Twitter: https://twitter.com/LiverpoolGin Facebook Website: https://www.facebook.com/liverpooldistillery The Belvedere, Sugnall Street: https://www.facebook.com/liverpooldistillery The Belvedere Twitter: https://twitter.com/belvederelpool You can drink Liverpool Gin in (including, but not restricted to): The Hub, Hanover Street, Liverpool The Kazimier/Kazimier Gardens, Wolstenholme Square/Seel Street, Liverpool The Freshfield, 1 Massams Lane, Formby Jenny’s Bar, The Old Ropery, Fenwick Street, Liverpool Berry and Rye, Berry Street, Liverpool R&H Fine Wines (Retail), Queens Arcade, Liverpool Cholmondeley Arms, Wrenbury Road, Malpas The Sparrowhawk, Southport Old Road, Formby
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EDIT - UPDATE (18th April 2014):
Hi Everyone, just another quick update since this has been getting spread on Twitter and other social media. There has been a run on tickets, as such there are only 2 places left now due to a last minute drop out. First come first served! The ONLY way to guarantee your attendance is to contact me and arrange payment, once payment is received, the place is locked down, so you'll have to be quick. Pedro x ---------------------------------------- Original Post: Greetings Everyone! I am expressly aware that it has been sometime since the last ElectroKemistry outing, with the invite only session at the end of last year and previous to that the last open event was the summer wine tasting; as such, it is more than time to set the wheels in motion for another. As has been mooted for some time, a ‘Battle of the Breweries’ will currently be held on the 19th April at around 4pm, with the venue to be confirmed (either at the Laboratory or at a Liverpool city centre venue). The event will be epic, make no mistake! The tasting event will also essentially be a blind tasting where each attendee can vote on which of the beers in individual styles (such as Amber Ale/American IPA/India Pale Ale/English Pale/Porter/Stout etc) are best in category, thus giving rise to a ranking system whereby we can nominate a winner in terms of overall score too. Solely for fun of course! There will no doubt also be a chance to win a prize to take home from the event, for enjoyment and posterity. The tasting will include some nibbles and 9-12 different beers depending on numbers attending. I am hoping for 15 or so people at this event as a minimum, up to around 20. At the moment, I need numbers to check diaries and confirm they are able and want to attend the event, plus I will need payment as soon as possible for the event to avoid overspend on the food and drink for the event. I will provide details for the payment and confirm your place on receipt. Tickets are going to be around £12 a head depending on numbers and the beers I able to get hold of for the event. All details will be firmed up once a date and numbers are settled on. If you fancy having a delightful evening with some likeminded people, some excellent beers and all round good time, please just give me a shout back! Just drop your name and email address in the contact form on the page and a contact number. I'll then drop in an email or call with details on how to pay, once payment is received, your place will be confirmed! Pedro x |
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