SIBA Beer X

Killswitch 51 bags gold in speciality then bronze overall in cask, keg amber wins a silver.

 

To me Killswitch 51 will always be remembered for Newcastle beer festival's battle of the beers 2012. The all Munich malt brew hopped with Apollo and Galaxy hop varieties fell flat on it's arse as far as winning was concerned. Deemed a total failure at the time by staff. Then somehow overnight it changed, blossoming into something profoundly different from the wall of malt it was. One twitter fan deemed it as the North East's answer to Magic Rock's Rapture. Ever since Killswitch as remained a seasonal beer with a cult following that's proven it's worth winning a regional SIBA gold last year previous to its current accolade. All in all a good consolation to falling short at BOB 2012 you might think

But aside from this Mordue haven't just won a SIBA national award, the North East on a whole has punched above it's weight at Beer X. We kicked ass. Anarchy Brew Co got a gold with surely the most high octane stout of the region, Sublime Chaos. Tyne Bank got a gold for Silver Dollar IPA on keg (still not tried the keg version) then aside from this Wylam, Sonnet 43 and Allendale also bagged medals.

I love the North East's brewing scene, as a beer drinker I was practically brought up with it. Since I have joined Mordue many of the personalities and companies have changed and evolved but I still love it. But it's under-rated. You only have to look at the many nation wide beer blogger end of year 'Golden Pint' awards to see the obvious dominance of the likes of Thornbridge, Redwillow, Summer Wine, Fullers, Hardknott, Siren, Brew Dog, Beavertown an heaps more. Respect to them I say, but it's not all about what beer bloggers think. The North East has some exciting beers, some real (dare I say it) world class beers. From the well established to the new ventures we have quality and diversity. We're not just some fringe region of the UK known for it's random set of virtually unheard of micros putting out 'samey' products.

Brewers of the toon I salute you, for many of your beers were an inspiration to me through my journey of beer. Our scene has grown and thrived and long may it continue to do so.

Gyle 3000

It has been coming, the big gyle 3000. Gyle 2800 came and went, then by gyle 2900 we knew it was creeping up on us. Speculation, what will Gyle 3000 be? A one-off exclusive brew hopefully and not some mandatory batch for an imminent order. The numbers kept rising, from 2946 to 2975 to 2990. But alas here we are, Mordue Brewery's gyle 3000.

Make no mistake that fitting this into the schedule didn't turn out to be easy. It turned out that Gyle 3000 or the G-3000 as I call it was to be brewed as the first part of a double brew (that means mashing in around 5AM). A double dry-hopped 3% table beer featuring Galaxy, Citra and Amarillo hops. So far I'd say it's tasting rather nice, the old term 'neckable grog' seems to fit quite accurately. Keep an eye out for this one in bottle and cask.

Maximo Number 5

Now I've never brewed a beer for a band before. I've brewed up new seasonal beers, beers for pub groups, wholesalers and even for the Panda Frog Project. I have yet to brew a collaborative beer  (at least not commercially) and have never brewed anything for a rock band ever.  Put it another way, I never thought anyone would ever trust me quite this much.

Nonetheless, Maximo No. 5 is Mordue Brewery's beer brewed for North East band Maximo Park. It's aimed to be a 5% American amber style beer brewed with 6 different hops. It's not aimed to be over the top (OK we're still talking over 40 IBU), but with enough going on to keep things interesting. Grape, orange and lychee is what I get, over a firm but smooth malt base.

For more on the launch read about it here or here. We even got a radio 5 live presenter cracking one open on air, that's 43 seconds of fame right there sha'mon. The first casks have left the building so not entirely sure where this could be going, maybe some other bands might gain interest. No disrespect intended but Maximo Park were never metal enough to make it into my top 10 all time favourite bands. If your reading this Dying Fetus remember a 'Fetus Number 6' beer is always possible. But hey I always count my blessings, we could well be brewing for the likes of Justin Bieber or even worse Jedward.

The twelth beer of Christmas

Batemans Vintage Ale 2012

So, finally made it to number twelve, and it's a big one. A 7.5% from Batemans, makers of Rosey Nosey, which I'm sure has been in the twelve beers line-up before. But anyway, Christmas is (just about) over and this was one of last beers in the house. So, a commemorative strong ale from a regional brewery, sounds like something similar to a Fullers Vintage perhaps?

It's a big rich boozy experience that's for sure. Plums, figs and raisins with some vanilla sweetness and a Brandy-like alcoholic warmth. But there's enough dryness to make it not too heavy going. Overall quite different yet a similar sort of breed to a Fullers Vintage. A noticeable difference being the obvious woody-oaky dryness which to me is slightly off putting. Yet everything around that is rather good. Certainly worth a try. Happy New Year everyone. 

2013. A year to remember.

Yep, that's right it's the end of year post. And although in this day and age I haven't been arsed to go along with the likes of 'Open It's' or 'Golden Pint awards' I've stuck with the old end of year post.

It's been one hell of a year for Rob's Beer Quest. You might not think it, given the mediocre number of blog posts I've managed to put out this year but besides that it has been monumental and arguably one of the best years of my life. To open things up in spring X2 (squared) won battle of beers at Newcastle beer fest, and was not expected. Following this we had Killswitch 51 and IPA with SIBA awards prior to what was obviously the highlight of the year.

Huddling with the masses around the stage at London Olympia as Roger Protz role-called the winners. Best bitters, "with the gold, those stalwarts from the North East Mordue Brewery Workie Ticket". A monumental day, and if that didn't top things off we even got two Golden Pint award mentions here and here nearer the end of the year.

The Mayoress pronouncing me and Matt battle of the beers champions

But hell, 2013 wasn't just about awards. It was the year I realised I won't be a twenty something year old for much longer (scary). My baby girl, Susie, took her first steps (game changing, like in Jurassic Park when the Velociraptors learned how to open doors). Plans were made, lessons were learned, cool people were met. There was no shortage of brewing action and our new apprentice Josh played an integral role during September's 'Operation Black Beaver Storm', involving colossus order of Oatmeal Stout for the Spoons Octoberfest.

Although in many ways it was much like any other year, but for me it was a year to remember.

Pandamonium hops

 

 

The Bairn

 

Cherries defrost for another batch of Al Cherry Pet

 

Keg beers from around the region ready to face SIBA judgement

Champion best bitter

 

The sun goes down over Alnwick