I love getting beers through the post, it’s a good little testament to the hours put in writing about the different events, review and tastings I attend. It’s also a good opportunity to have some direct dialogue with a brewery about something they are trying out or looking to launch into an ever increasingly competitive market place. On this occasion, I have received another package from Staffordshire based Freedom Brewery, who usually brew British iterations of continental style lagers. I’ve already covered their range, thanks to a package sent across to me in a previous blog [http://electrokemistcuisine.weebly.com/blogs/freedom-brewery]. On this occasion, the brewery are looking to brew a pale ale as something to bolster their core range and judging not only from the paraphernalia that was sent out with the bottles to me, but the point of sale push at a variety of bars, they really do mean it. Step forward, ‘Prototype’ (which is only a working title as I understand it), their first ever pale ale which will possibly be tweaked over the course of the summer based on the feedback received by the brewery from drinkers. Prototype has been hopped with four big southern hemisphere and new world hop varieties, namely; Chinook, Cascade, Motueka and Rakau and uses a malt base of cara, lager and some rye to bring out some dry and bitter qualities to the ale. The initial release of the Prototype was in July, but the official launch (presumably following any recipe or brewing adjustments) will take place at some point in September 2016. So, I am sure many of you have already partaken in Prototype and probably have your own views on the brew, but I am genuinely intrigued as to how the brew will develop following this publicity exercise. A formal tasting held as part of the Beer O’Clock Show’s podcasting (the tasting took place on 13th July in the evening as I understand it), along with, no doubt countless comment cards and individual pieces of feedback will presumably form a platform for which the beer could change. This leads me to the question of ‘should it change?’. In my opinion, absolutely.
Whilst the Prototype promises much in the way of hop character (especially with those four big boys present in the brew), there seems to be a driving force of honeyed malt in the beer. It is undoubtedly very drinkable and smooth, well carbonated and balanced, but for a pale ale using chinook and motueka for example, the expectation is much higher in terms of fruitiness, residual qualities and bittering. The aroma and structure were a bit 'out of synch' in the Prototype; whilst there were some pleasant notes in the aroma profile, the flavour (which was more of a malty honey and rich tea driven flavour) didn't carry enough fruit considering the hops used, whilst it was pleasant to drink, the body felt a bit thin and the bitterness didn't have anything punchy or a zingy fresh acidity to bring the whole beer into focus. I provided input to the brewers to perhaps hold some of the Chinook and especially Motueka (maybe some of the Rakau too?) back for aroma only. Throw them in for the last 5-10 mins of the boil, or even steep them for any additional 10mins upon flame off? I heard it suggested from a colleague that they thought the malt profile might need a second look to try and introduce a bit more body to the pale ale. You’re never going to please everyone with a single beer, but this is bold attempt to engage drinkers and bring some interaction forward for Freedom, whose longevity in the market hasn’t quite translated into a presence that would be as expected. Especially given the respect they are held in from my experience. My fingers are crossed that this Prototype was a baseline to be built on and that a more generous hop quota would push the beer up to the level required to truly get drinkers on board. Have you tried Prototype yet? Did you have any strong views in terms of how the beer should taste and how the brewery could accomplish the amendments? Pedro.
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