#ISBFHeroes7 - It all started on Peter Street
Whatever has been said about Brew Dog, to those who know anything about Modern Beer and Manchester that bar is a very significant part of the Manchester Craft Beer (a phrase I've never liked) Family Tree, casting its seeds all over the city.
Sometimes, those roots are rather indirect too. Like our guests for Heroes7.
The story begins at a home brew competition which must have been 8 years ago at least. Held at Brewdog on Peter Street and organised (I think) by Steve Dunkley (he of Beer Nouveau). I was a judge, as were Jim Rangeley (Now Abbeydale Funk), Duncan Barton (of the much lamented - by me - Tickety Brew) and others.
I’d never judged before. And by the Gods it was intimidating! The word competitive does not do this justice……. It was fierce. And the standard was exceptional.
Among the brewers competing were Richard Conway (Now Thirst Class), Matt Dutton (now Brewer at Track) and three young men who were - individually - members of the New Mills Home Brewing Group.
Fellas I'd frequently see at the legendary MTB events at Port Street Beer House……
Chris Clough
Nick Rothko-Wright
Peter Sidwell
Who - soon after that competition - came together, in a little unit by a marina in New Mills.
Torrside Brewing.
Those 3 talented individuals have combined to create something really special. Carving themselves not one but several niches.
Who knew there was such a market for Smoked Beers eh?
Who knew there was such a market for 750ml bottles of 10%+ beers?
Who knew that you could pack out a brewery tap on the edge of the Derbyshire peaks? Causing such malty havoc that friends of mine would have to call a partner out late at night because they've missed the last train?
They've been stars at ISBF from the get go. Introducing me to the art of partigyling. Always up for a bonkers collaboration, a brilliantly mad beer supply.
They've been there. Every single time. And - ever so slowly - accruing a reputation for twisted excellence.
But don't be misled. They also make some bloody fabulous “normal” beers too.
Balls. They just make great beer. Which leads me to….
Well. For the less than princely sum of £52 (Inc delivery and charity donation…… you get the following….
2 each of :
Small Victories (3.8% Nelson Sauvin pale)
Shrub-A-Dub-Dub (4.4% Szechuan & orange pale - unique in bottle to this event!)
If You Build It (4.0% smoked pale)
Zero Ducks (6.0% raspberry IPA) All 500ml.
Monsters: Perseverance (Imperial Brown) 10% (2 x 330ml)
And 1 each of (330ml)
Monsters: American Barleywine 2017 & 2020 (9% & 11% barley wine)
How does that “little” lot sound?
Of course, you also get access to myself and “The Castlefield Parkinson” (aka James aka @BeerFinderGen) make fools of ourselves - me, because I'm incoherent. Him because he's a gibbering Fanboy - on Zoom on Friday 30th July.
Beers for tasting on the evening will be :
Shrub-A-Dub-Dub
Zero Ducks
Perseverance
You also get access to a bespoke Spotify playlist (created by our dear friends Mike & Jo). And it's bloody brilliant (I may have early access)
And the chance to bid for a specially knitted wooly hat (in Torrside colours) by the rather lovely Tina.
Fancy a bit of Monstrosity?
Come and join us. Have a chuckle. Learn something about our New Mills Heroes….
Link here. Look forward to seeing you.
Back soon. Be kind to one another.
Jx