Hello, and welcome back to the Eternal Hoptimists!
As there were two breweries in the area, it seemed like a crime to not visit at least one of them. As Alnwick seems to be the larger of the two, and was on a direct bus line, Sam chose to give them a visit.
The history of The Alnwick Brewery Company dates back to the 1840s, but since 2013 it has been owned by Harry Hotspur Holdings Ltd – an investment company with a vision of preserving and expanding niche heritage food and drink businesses in Northumberland.
The Brewery is currently operating from a brew house at Hawkhill, just outside Alnwick, and has a core range of beers that are produced that are sold in both casks and bottles.
Also produced alongside the Alnwick range, are tipples produced for their sister companies Lindisfarne Ltd, & The Holy Island Brewery.
A beer and a show!
When we arrived around 1pm on the 23/o6/21, we were told that there would be a live music event and a food truck starting from 4pm, to coincide with the debut of their est coast style summer pale.
Naturally we decided to make an afternoon of it and enjoy the festivities to their fullest.
Their resident session musicians did a variety of songs and created a fantastic close atmosphere giving the taproom a very welcoming vibe.
Food was provided via the food truck from Flyingpigzbbq who i must admit do a mean ‘Filthy Pig’ (pulled pork sandwich).. unfortunately I have no picture as it was in hailed at such a speed as i had been drinking for nearly 5 hours, but it was delicious and affordable which is no mean feat from a food truck these days.
What about the beer!?
Typically when I arrived the lines were being cleaned and changed ready for the event, unperturbed by this i tried a number of their canned offerings as well as the lines when they came available. This is what I thought;
The Alnwick Brewery Co- Amerillo Pale Ale (3.9% ABV)
Aroma: Zesty orange with a hop base and citrus kick.
Appearance: Slightly hazed golden colour with an open white head when poured
Body: Medium bodied, high carbonation with ok head retention.
Taste: Mellow hop which is quickly taken by a wash of orange and citrus but with a slightly dry finish.
A good easy drinking Pale, not lacking in flavour despite its ABV.
Sam’s Score: 3.6/ 5.0
The Alnwick Brewery – Zero (0.5% ABV)
Aroma: Roasted malts with a hint of Barley.
Appearance: Clear slightly off amber colour with no head when poured.
Body: Quite thin, okay carbonation but no head retention.
Taste: Slight hop heavy malt, not as full flavour as i would have wanted but not bad for an AF beer.
Sam’s Score: 3.6/ 5.0
The Alnwick Brewery– Alnwick Gold (4.2% ABV)
Aroma: Quite malt heavy scent with a bit of citrus towards the end
Appearance: Clear golden ale with a white head when poured
Body: Medium bodied, well carbonated with decent head retention.
Taste: Clean refreshing Hop & citrus taste finishing in a smooth almost creamy draw.
Its known as ‘The 24 Carat Pint of the North’, for good reason, this wasa very clean and refreshing drop indeed
Sam’s Score: 3.8/ 5.0
The Alnwick Brewery – Lindisfarne (3.8% ABV)
Aroma: Slight hoppiness and sweet undertone.
Appearance: Clear chestnut ale, slight white film head when poured
Body: Medium bodied, well carbonated with no head retention.
Taste: Moreish, a bit of hop upfront followed by a slightly sweet almost pastry like finish..
Both the wife and i had this one, and we both agreed that this was a beer personification of a steak and ale pie gravy, moreish doesn’t cover it. I got a few to take home!
Sam’s Score: 4.0/ 5.0
The Alnwick Brewery – East Coast Summer Pale (4.2% ABV)
Aroma: mellow malt and a hit of citrus
Appearance: Ever so slight haze in an otherwise clear golden ale with a tight fluffy head when poured.
Body: Medium bodied well carbonated, quite smooth with great head retention.
Taste: Easy drinking summer pale slightly creamy with a healthy dose of malt and citrus.
Considering this was a debut, it was a pretty strong start, I am positive this will be successful in fact the pub I am typing this up in has it on and I am drinking it right now!
Sam’s Score: 4.0/ 5.0
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