#ISBF8 #Brewday8 - Donning The Cowl : Brewing at Northern Monk
“You told him what he wants to hear
And so you got another chance
But I was yours for seven years
Is that what you call a dalliance?”
Dalliance - The Wedding Present
In so far as I remember anything, I remember this.
Back in 2013, when I was blogging fairly frequently, I was looking to feature beers from Yorkshire. On our regular visits to see my Out-Laws in Lincolnshire, i’d divert the family car (being the driver helped!) to a village called Snaith and a shop called Yorkshire Ales.
Among the many - to me - alien delights, I found a 330ml bottle. It was called New World IPA, by a new brewery called Northern Monk. It was 6% abv, a strength outside of my comfort zone, but I was intrigued, both by the promise of fruity hops and by the artwork.
That beer made an impression. It was that good. They were small. New. One of many, but there was something…..
In little over 10 years, that small outfit, has grown. To say the least.
Having built a loyal following, both locally and nationally, they grew. And grew.
They are now one of the UKs craft beer powerhouses.
With two bars (in Leeds & Manchester), and two important beer events (Hop City and Dark & Wild) they manage to successfully bridge the divide between Supermarket explorers and Craft lovers. A trick few can pull off. And they do it with style.
Being honest, I thought that a brewery of the size of Northern Monk were a little bit above being involved with a little beer event like ours.
Until a chat - on the Saturday evening session of #ISBF7 - with Brian Dickson, Brewer.
I've known Brian for a while. Chatting with him & Mark Welsby (Runaway), he seemed puzzled as to why we didn't have one of their beers on.
We chatted and agreed i’d get in contact directly with him to get something sorted. Little did I know that i’d end up on a train to Leeds, early on a Saturday morning, to make a beer.
Not only that, but on their test kit. Making a super limited beer. I was more than flattered, I was astonished.
But that's Brian. One of the good guys.
The scale of the “kit” was astonishing. I mean, I'm an absolute brewery nerd, but I wasn't even close to prepared for what I saw. It's the biggest brewery I've ever wandered round. But still seemed “human” in scale. There was a sense of togetherness, community. That's down to the people.
People like Fraser, who led us through the brewday.
Just behind the main brewkit resides this beautiful thing. Their 100L Pilot Kit. I was instantly smitten. A thing of beauty. And we were going to brew a super limited beer on it.
Well. Fraser was. I just stirred a bit. And “dug” a bit. On that thing of beauty. I couldn't get enough of that kit!
Mashing in couldn't have been simpler. With just 31kgs of Malted Barley, I felt like Gulliver on a Liliputian brewkit.
Of course, I stirred like my life depended on it whilst Fraser & Brian gently poured in the barley.
Swiftly achieved, we grabbed a coffee and talked Hops.
Centennial (my absolute CATNIP) for bitterness, with late additions of Amarillo, Simcoe & Nelson Sauvin, the aim was for West Coast bitterness, sticky resinous pine and all that goodness.
I was sold.
Back to the brewhouse, a scattering of Roasted Barley - for colour - and the wort was getting too the colour we were after. Red. A sweet, sweet Red. My current catnip beer style.
Wort transferred to the Petit Copper and headed to boil, time for a wander. And there was a special event scheduled for the afternoon…..
That sense of “community” again. Inviting local street artists in to create. The local “Rebel Spirit Soundsystem” bringing the dub and bass (belting tunes!). Just that unshakeable feeling….
Some simply beautiful imagery…
External tanks - with NM Graphic Artist wiz “Tank” in full photobomb mode in the background!
All the while, we were making beer.
A pretty, pretty beer.
Boil reached, Centennial deployed, I had a tour of the brewery from Brian.
It's safe to say that I was astonished. It's a stunning set up. From beautiful modern (and SHINY) brewkit, vast array of Fermentation Vessels, external tanks, huge canning line, it was hugely impressive and set up to maximise simplicity. Just impressive.
Like I said, I'm a brewery nerd.
Digging out was simple. That's the joy of a 31kg malt bill in a 100L kit!
Of course, I strained every sinew…..
Late Hops deployed by YT obviously (I get ALL the horrible jobs! 😉), it was time to transfer to FV. Fraser oversaw this, leaving me and Brian to our own devices. And a beer or two. I said our thanks to Fraser (who was ace!) and we headed off to The Refectory for a (pre-train home) beer or three.
That’s one beautiful colour…..
So. The beer.
“Dalliance”. A US red IPA. At 6.5% abv. Expect a decent malt backbone with the full West Coast vibe of Resinous Pine, Citrus and just all round YUM!
Huge thanks to Brian for arranging this day, can’t thank him enough for his efforts in bringing this about. Also to Fraser for his wizardry on that kit, the recipe development and his patience, humouring this rank amateur! And also to all those at Northern Monk who we chatted with, however briefly, they were all lovely.
This beer is super rare. There’ll likely be only 4 kegs in existence. 2 of which are destined for the #EvilKegFilth bar at Hemsley House!
Want some? Got a ticket for #ISBF8? If not, click HERE (you won’t regret it!)
Back soon. (Final Brewday on Thursday)
Be kind to yourselves & one another.
Jx