In October 2023 Will and James from Balance made the trip down to the south west to brew with us. We made a strong hoppy wort at The Salutation Inn in Gloucestershire with a firm nod towards historic India Pale Ale brewing:
- The brewing liquor was well Burtonised.
- The grist was solely traditional floor malted Maris Otter from Warminster Maltings in Wiltshire.
- The hops were whole leaf Fuggles & Goldings grown in Herefordshire, used in large quantities throughout the boil.
The wort was transferred for open fermentation at ambient October temperatures in our coolship, with an expressive British ale yeast. This was followed by 14 months maturation in oak, giving time for the Brettanomyces to remove sweetness and produce an exceptionally dry and poised finish, as well as adding clarity to the flavour and interest to the aromatics.

The resulting beer was dry-hopped with more Herefordshire leaf Goldings and Fuggles before 8 months of maturation in bottle to achieve fine natural carbonation.