BrewDog, the Scottish company based in the fishing port of Fraserburgh, has courted controversy with its risqué beer names whilst at the same time producing some of Britain's best and most fascinating beers. Now
BrewDog has unveiled what it is describing as "the
most ambitious brew by any drinks brand in over 200 years," the Atlantic IPA.
After two tempestuous months aging aboard BrewDog founder James Watt's mackerel trawler on the North Atlantic, Atlantic IPA will be the first commercially available, genuine sea-aged IPA in two centuries.
James says he was given an 1856 Brewer's Handbook as a gift last Christmas which contained an even older original IPA hoppy recipe - which provided inspiration for him to embark on BrewDog's latest voyage of
discovery. In January 2009 his fishing trawler set off into the North Atlantic with seven barrels on-board, each containing beer brewed from the original recipe."
Originating in the 1700s, India Pale Ales were developed in Britain and sent by sea to British people living in India. James Watt says "Today the term IPA has lost its meaning and UK brewers mainly use it to
describe beers which are neither particularly hoppy or high in alcohol. It's sad to see the great IPA heritage in this country come to stand for nothing more than a sparingly hopped low ABV blonde session."
Atlantic IPA survived two months on the North Atlantic, involving "a tense barrel-rescue-mission, force ten storms, 60-foot waves and encounters with killer whales." Upon return it was bottle
conditioned and is now available at £10 per bottle.
"We've taken the style back to its roots and created the first genuine IPA for two centuries," says James. "Going beyond the realms of what would normally be possible is what we're all about."
BrewDog, Atlantic IPA (Scotland) The beer pours a deep amber colour with a hint of ruby at its core. The head is thick and almost tan-coloured. The nose has plenty of toast, with a burnt grain and caramel character, a dark, Seville orange note and a hint of something resinous and herbal. On the palate there is a massive attack of hop bitterness, a real endive bite, with more of that roasted, grainy character and only the sweetness of the alcohol steeping in to relieve the full-on attack of the beer. An outstanding brew this, and one to contemplate the meaning of life as you sip it. 8.0% ABV, 33cl, �10.00, brewery website, Cornelius (Edinburgh), realale.com, Beerritz, Utobeer.
