– Up and Coming / Squawk Brewing Co
We like to celebrate all things shiny and new, especially when it comes to beer and ESPECIALLY when the brewery is just around the corner from us. In out latest edition of ‘Up and Coming’ we focus up Squawk Brewing Co from Manchester, here are a few words direct from the birds mouth (…as it in what a bird says, get it?! SQUAWK?!? Perhaps not.. I’ll get my coat)
Who we are : “A fresh new Manchester-based brewery with a passion for craft beer. SQUAWK brew Pale Ales, Stouts, Porters and IPAs of various descriptions and strengths. No two brews are ever the same, because we’re always refining and improving our core recipes. The SQUAWK mission statement: Using techniques old and new to create complex tastes and powerful sensations. Committed to craft beer. Not afraid to mix it up and experiment with far out flavours. Selective about rules, because great beer can come from strange beginnings. For intrepid beer hunters on the lookout for bold flavours and brave brews.”
Past, present and future : Although the brewery launched in late 2013, SQUAWK is already established as a regular fixture on the Manchester beer scene. 2014 (and beyond) will be spent mixing and matching traditional ingredients and influences from around the globe. Keep your eyes peeled for an ever-changing procession of intriguing and, most importantly, downright lovely beers popping up at selected ale shops and beer fests across the north. There is plenty more still to come from this feisty new brewery.
– American Beer Festival 2014 / round up
The opening day saw us welcome Jeremy Stull of Beermoth who presented a number of his favourite bottles along side a talk on his first hand experiences of the American beer scene. There were bottles from Jacks Abby, Heretic and Pipeworks to name just a few, alongside a rare treat in Perennial’s Saison de Lis from Stull’s personal collection.
As well as some of our regulars like Brooklyn, Anchor, Flying Dog and staff favourite Victory Prima Pils, we’ve had some new favourites on the bar courtesy of Heretic, Ruhstaller, Stillwater and North Coast. At the time of writing this North Coast’s Old Rasputin was still available, if you haven’t yet tried it we recommend you do, it’s rich and complex and hits all the right notes for an imperial stout. If you missed out on all these great kegs then don’t worry because we also stocked up our fridges with some great state side bottles and cans, just don’t wait too long or we’ll have drunk all the Westbrook One Claw Rye.
Next up, IPA Day!
Words by James Moffat
– Up and Coming / Atom Beers
We’ve been waiting a while but finally they’re here! Atom Beers are on the bar and we couldn’t be more pleased about it! Atom is a much anticipated new brewery with a difference. Yes they make great beers incorporating both traditional, and more innovative styles and flavours, what more do you need you ask? Well nothing I suppose but co founders Allan Rice and Sarah Thackray also have other aims, as well as providing us with some tasty beverages they are using them to educate! This is not just for beer geeks but anyone with an interest, Atom are using the science of beer to educate people about the beers they drink and the complexity of brewing as a whole. If that sounds like your kind of thing they encourage people to visit and tour the brewery, always a fun outing!
What you have with Atom is people who’re genuinely super interested in all aspects of beer and brewing who want to share the wealth both of the liquid and information variety. Everyone knows a key part of science is experimentation, we can’t wait to see what other great beers they come up with!
– Up and Coming / Brew By Numbers
There is a more literal interpretation than usual of the ‘up and coming’ title, Brew By Numbers is now (finally) coming up to Manchester and making itself at home in the PSBH fridges and guesting on keg. We’ve been waiting a while due to the level of demand for their beers in that London, where the brewery is based, but we’re happy to say it was worth the wait!
Dave and Tom have been brewing commercially since late 2012 and are happily continuing the Bermondsey custom of excellent beer with an interesting take on traditional tasty styles. Experimentation is key and now the guys have the benefit of a 12BBL brew house to keep up with the considerable demand for their beers, they are using their original equipment as a pilot kit for the development of new and exciting things.
BBNo are influenced by numerous styles and breweries, including Port Street staples The Kernel. They have an excellent range available and are big into saisons in particular, with an array of innovative takes on this Belgian classic. Similarly they have numerous recipes for smooth hoppy golden beers, both of these styles will be available on keg in PSBH in the immediate future. Another appealing offering from these chaps is a range of coffee porters brewed with single origin beans to better showcase individual coffees…
Basically the gist we’re getting at here is that these guys make great beers and have lots of ideas to make many more. Keep your eye on them and look out for the kegs coming soon to the bar.
brewbynumbers.com