#ISBFHeroes10 - A Walk On The Wild Side

Hello again! Yes, after a break of nearly 2 months, WE’RE BAAAAACK! Here to try to entice you into another bit of beery fun, with something deliciously different. And maybe introduce you to someone/something new. And I - for one - am particularly looking forward to this one! One of my favourite new breweries of the last 5 years.

Every year, when in the early stages of preparation for “the event”, I ask a close circle of “The ISBF Family” to do some blue sky thinking. Who would they like to see with a beer at the event. Then I try to go get.

In 2018, in the lead up to #ISBF5 (and our debut at Hemsley House), James (if I remember aright) came up with a brewery that had only recently launched and was only on the periphery of my narrow focus. I did some research. And, hugely intrigued, contacted said brewery.

The beer supplied was utterly delicious. I was smitten. And - I have since confirmed - ISBF was the first beer festival to feature their beers!

Then, in Spring 2019, the lovely Mr Welsby, he of Runaway Brewery fame, asked if I would like to host an ISBF Bar at the Runaway 5th Brewery. “Flattered” would be an understatement, to put it mildly. I could invite whoever I wanted to supply. That’s trust. Right there!

And this brewery were the first on my list. People came to the bar. People who really knew their stuff. And kept coming back. And then, the brewer himself showed up, young family and hound too! I was a little blown away, that he should bring his family all that way.

He hung around, chatting with people. He made a huge impression. And, from that point, the brewery have just moved on to bigger things, gaining accolades and reputation. Justly so. And wormed their way into my cold and cynical beery heart.

The Brewery? Wilderness Beers, from Newtown in Powys….

There are a lot of genuinely nice people in the Independent UK Brewing sector. James Godman - of Wilderness - is, in my none too humble opinion - one of the finest humans in the game.

Genuine, thoughtful, completely self - effacing, with no airs or graces, he just makes beer that he likes to drink.

In his own words “a failed biochemist turned brewer”, he started his brewing career at Hop Back Brewery churning out vast quantities of “Summer Lightning” (if you're under 35, ask your parents!), before heading East, to Craftier pastures. And Brew By Numbers. And then….. something completely different….

“Retiring”. To The Marches (I LOVE a historical reference!). Newtown in Powys. Fresh air. Fresh inspiration.

Fermenting in wooden barrels. Getting funky. Blending.

Those who know me, know that I refuse to lie. I can't

But I fell in love with Wilderness beers from the first taste at #ISBF5.

There is a lightness of touch. Flavour forward, but delicate with it. This is gentle persuasion with yeasts as opposed to bludgeoning with high hop rates.

And it sings to my soul. Biere Ordinaire is one of my favourite beers of recent times. His Saisons are exceptional. His blends precise and delicious. For me, he's one of the best in the UK. And I don't throw words like that lightly.

Everytime I see someone praise one of James’ beers, it gives me a warm feeling. Watching one of the good guys sell beer. Receive praise. Grow.

When I saw that he was going to employ someone, I was envious. To put it mildly. When I saw it was Helen Anne Smith, I was real pleased. Someone who cares, passionately about whatever they do. Founder of The Burum Collective. Real good writer. Believer in what is good and right.

They've found that in Newtown. They'll do good for Wilderness.

8th April can't come soon enough.

Those who have attended the ISBF Heroes Events previously know what to expect.

Those who haven't, may ask “What am I getting in to? “

Well. By clicking the link below, you will be getting 2 each of 6 beers (one of which may indeed be unique to this case!).

You'll be invited to Zoom event with James, Helen, myself and Castlefield's most famous Canine Custodian, Stan’s Dad (James, the Beer Finder General).

You'll also be the recipient of a link to a rather special Spotify playlist, created by the lovely Mike & Jo, themed around the brewery and some excellent selections by Team Wilderness themselves.

I've listened to that list for the last few weeks. It's bloody excellent. As usual.

And remember. £5 from the sale of each case goes into the ISBF vaults. To be handed over (along with every other penny of profits) later this year, to Start Inspiring Minds. Our partner Mental Health charity.

#DrinkGoodToDoGood. It's our motto. We think it's not a bad one either.

What are the beers? You may well ask……

Well….

2 each of the following beauties….

Tear It All Down - 6.3% Bière de Garde - 375ml

Paint the Sky - 5% Soured Pilsner - 330ml

Hiraeth - 3.8% Petite Saison - 440ml

So Emotional - 5% Blend of aged and fresh farmhouse beers - 440ml

Bière Ordinaire - 3.9% (Ordinary) Bitter 440ml

Heavy Weather - 6% Bretted Pale Ale, with Citra, Sabro & Palisade - 440ml

That lovely lot. All for the absolute bargain price of £50 of your earthly. Including delivery. AND charity donation.

Click the link. Buy the beer. And come join us on April 8th. At 7:30 pm. And have fun. It's what we do.

Back soon with some “news”

Be kind to one another.

Jx