Rye IPA

Yep, a new year and a new beer release at Mordue brewery. This February sees the release of our new 6% hop fest Rye IPA in both cask keg and bottled form. Brewing something new has always been a privilege at Mordue brewery, especially when it's a 6% 76IBU monster pale ale loaded with rye, summit and apollo hops. Early tastings have been promising. Bold juicy malt, pithy tangerine and a tangy bitterness all play a sort of half tribute to the regular SIBA-award-winning Mordue IPA with peppery rye spice cutting in up front. Look out for this one in cask form early February.  

In tribute to Cookie, the hat was worn to help re-enforce the product's status as 'craft'.

Mordue the movie

Mordue the movie is a bit of an elaborate fantasy I've had for a while. Obviously it wouldn't be some kind of brewing documentary but more of a Hollywood blockbuster with an all-star cast. Ice Cube and Chris Tucker would play boss men Gary and Matt Fawson while Chris Rock would play myself. Plenty of quirky extras would be involved, like Snoop Doggy Dog playing Mick from the Free Trade Inn (bit of a height difference there) and the Wookies from Star Wars would act as the North East CAMRA branch. Obviously the title wouldn't be just 'Mordue the movie' but more something like 'Mordue; homie brew gadgies in da hood, brewing it for da toon yaw' or something like that.

Anyway, sadly I can't imagine the Hollywood blockbuster ever being produced but this video, shot the other month by a cool bloke called Oliver Fowler is the next best thing.

The 12th Beer of Christmas

Castle Brewery Samiclaus 2010

Well, Christmas is almost officially over.

Call this a repeat entry. Some may remember Samiclaus from 2010's twelve beers of Christmas.
What I forgot to mention back then is that I put one bottle aside for ageing. It's one mighty rich 14% Doppelbock from Austria. Honey sweet candy, almond and prunes combined with a big warming brandy like hit of alcohol. It's almost reminicent of sherry, but the most interesting bit is the noticeable darkening in colour compared to the non-aged version.