The Challenge
For our first ever Summer Pairs Challenge, we paired up brewers and randomly assigned a ‘summer drink’. Their job was to collaborate and brew something inspired by their assigned cocktail.
Maybe an ingredient in the cocktail, maybe a flavour profile or maybe brew a beer that tastes like the inspiration, it didn’t matter, they just needed to work together and explain their logic.
| Cocktail | Brewers |
| Pimm’s | Euan & Rowan |
| Pina Colada | Luiz & Will |
| Margarita | Rob & Tom |
| Gin and Tonic | Ian & Sam |
| Aperol Spritz | Pete, Paul & Matt |
The Showcase
The group met at our regular home in Wiper and True’s beautiful taproom in Old Market, Bristol.
For the beer reveal, as it should be, each brewing pair kept the details of the beer to themselves until the showcase.
To start us off, we had to raise a glass to a fallen comrade. Rowan & Euan’s Pimm’s brew took an unwanted dose of wild yeast and made it into the drain before a glass. A tragic loss as a 7% sour, with notes of strawberry, raspberry, caramel, spices and zest was very promising.
First up, at at 4.2% was Sam and Ian with Laverstoke, an excellent kettle soured hazy pale ale-based on a gin cocktail with Citra and Motueka hopped, with elderflower, lime zest, juniper and ginger. Incredibly well made and very drinkable.
Second, with the Margarita, Rob and Tom were inspired by the famous Margarita of Napoli and presented their 4.5% Italian Pils, with Mittlefruh and Lórien hops. This crystal clear lager was fresh, light and very refreshing.
Next up at 6.4%, was Paul, Pete and Matt with Spritz and Giggles, a classic westie inspired by Aperol Spritz featuring Chinook and Centennial hops and surrounded by orangey hops including Amarillo, Ahtanum and Ekuanot. Loaded up with fresh rhubarb and both orange peel and juice. Served with a slice of fresh orange just to finish off the experience.
Finally, Luiz and Will’s 6.5% Pina Colada inspired NEIPA with stacks of Sabro, Galaxy and pineapple juice, really bringing out the notes you would come to expect from the cocktail. Fantasic beer!
The night was finished up with several trips to the bar and the opening of remaining brews, including several lagers, a fantastic American Wheat-Cold IPA (WhIPA?) by Remy, and the announcement of the latest challenge.
Another fantastic night, with a great turn out, and as always big thanks to Wiper and True for hosting us.