How an American classic won a gold medal for British-style beer. Kevin Bacon's "six degrees" beer. Farewell to actor who played legendary beer-lover Norm, in Cheers. Zeffer and Cassels in partnership
Seems to me Sierra Nevada Pale Ale has come full circle. APA only became a thing because the style needed to be categorised for competition. Beers like APA are rooted in British ale having grown out of the homebrewing movement where necessity dictated production techniques such as two vessel systems, employing single infusion mashing and open fermentation using English ale yeast, such as Nottingham, which at the time was pretty much all that was available. Similarly, only whole hops were available as pellets weren't even a thing until the 80's, Cascade itself has English heritage, being bred from Fuggle. Under the ESB style guidelines and sub-categories for WBC, SNPA is a perfect fit and deserved winner, remembering also that to achieve Gold it has to pass through three rounds of judging. Well done !
The stretch of highway from Te Kuiti to New Plymouth is a fascinating, scenic drive which you could do multiple times and never get sick of - and one which would work up an appetite for a Taranaki craft beer at its completion.
Seems to me Sierra Nevada Pale Ale has come full circle. APA only became a thing because the style needed to be categorised for competition. Beers like APA are rooted in British ale having grown out of the homebrewing movement where necessity dictated production techniques such as two vessel systems, employing single infusion mashing and open fermentation using English ale yeast, such as Nottingham, which at the time was pretty much all that was available. Similarly, only whole hops were available as pellets weren't even a thing until the 80's, Cascade itself has English heritage, being bred from Fuggle. Under the ESB style guidelines and sub-categories for WBC, SNPA is a perfect fit and deserved winner, remembering also that to achieve Gold it has to pass through three rounds of judging. Well done !
That is a great analysis Doug! I didn’t realise pellets were so new. Everything you say makes more sense now! Cheers
The stretch of highway from Te Kuiti to New Plymouth is a fascinating, scenic drive which you could do multiple times and never get sick of - and one which would work up an appetite for a Taranaki craft beer at its completion.
Totally agree! Love coming out the other side of the gorge and having the ocean open up to you! Cheers David!