Orlando's desperate!

[orlando]

Some of you may know I'm t'up North on a sojourn of all things related to things beery. I was in the Dipton Mill and was absolutely blown away by the quality of the Stout they had on a beer engine. I assumed this was from the Hexhamshire brewery like the rest of the beers and didn't take a note of what it was called. It poured like it was being dispensed by mixed gas,the head was incredibly tight and the mouth feel was so creamy it could have been a dessert beer.

So my problem is I need to find out more about this fabulous beer and have a crack at brewing it but have little idea about what and where it actually comes from, can anyone help?

[seymour]

That looks like a beautiful setting to drink beautiful ales. I'm so jealous!

You could try calling the phone number on the link you posted, surely they could identify their beer based on your description and time of visit.

As far as I can tell, they don't officially categorize any of their beers as a stout, but these two are dark bitters. Do you think it was the lower or higher ABV%? Perhaps they've started brewing a porter or stout, but haven't updated their own website yet?

Hexhamshire Devil's Water
Hexhamshire Brewery - Hexham, Northumberland, UK
Style: Dark Bitter
OG: 1042
ABV: 4.2%
IBU: ≈20-30?
Grainbill: Pale, Crystal Malt, Roasted Barley
Hops: Fuggles, Goldings
Colour: deep amber
Yeast: I don't know which strain the brewery uses, but their beers are often described as containing some pleasant diacetyl, so Fullers or Ringwood are good guesses.

Hexhamshire Old Humbug
Hexhamshire Brewery - Hexham, Northumberland, UK
Style: Dark ESB
OG: 1055
ABV: 5.5%
IBU: ≈35-40?
Grainbill: Pale, Amber Malt, Crystal Malt, Roasted Barley
Hops: Fuggles
Colour: brown
Yeast: I don't know which strain the brewery uses, but their beers are often described as containing some pleasant diacetyl, so Fullers or Ringwood are good guesses.

[orlando]

I will end up doing that I'm sure, though probably email them. It isn't those two, they were both available, so it could be a different brewery and I just missed it. It was a cracker though, can't stop thinking about it. It was one of those beers that just suddenly belts your taste buds right between the "eyes". The last time it happened to me was drinking Oscar Wilde mild. You know the sort, you're just not prepared to be pole axed by how good it is, just not expecting it, the times when drinking beer regularly is suddenly so rewarding.

[Dave S]

I will end up doing that I'm sure, though probably email them. It isn't those two, they were both available, so it could be a different brewery and I just missed it. It was a cracker though, can't stop thinking about it. It was one of those beers that just suddenly belts your taste buds right between the "eyes". The last time it happened to me was drinking Oscar Wilde mild. You know the sort, you're just not prepared to be pole axed by how good it is, just not expecting it, the times when drinking beer regularly is suddenly so rewarding.

Remember, Orlando to always expect the unexpected....

[orlando]

I will end up doing that I'm sure, though probably email them. It isn't those two, they were both available, so it could be a different brewery and I just missed it. It was a cracker though, can't stop thinking about it. It was one of those beers that just suddenly belts your taste buds right between the "eyes". The last time it happened to me was drinking Oscar Wilde mild. You know the sort, you're just not prepared to be pole axed by how good it is, just not expecting it, the times when drinking beer regularly is suddenly so rewarding.

Remember, Orlando to always expect the unexpected....

If the unexpected is like that I can't wait.

[Dave S]

I will end up doing that I'm sure, though probably email them. It isn't those two, they were both available, so it could be a different brewery and I just missed it. It was a cracker though, can't stop thinking about it. It was one of those beers that just suddenly belts your taste buds right between the "eyes". The last time it happened to me was drinking Oscar Wilde mild. You know the sort, you're just not prepared to be pole axed by how good it is, just not expecting it, the times when drinking beer regularly is suddenly so rewarding.

Remember, Orlando to always expect the unexpected....

If the unexpected is like that I can't wait.

Come to think, I find almost everything unexpected - especially the Spanish Inquisition.

[seymour]

...Come to think, I find almost everything unexpected - especially the Spanish Inquisition.

Well, some things you can expect, like occasional Monty Python references on any English website. I love it!

Good luck on your stout search, Orlando. I'd love to know what you find.

Side note: I've heard good things about the Hexhamshire Shire Bitter too, what did you think of it?

[orlando]

...Come to think, I find almost everything unexpected - especially the Spanish Inquisition.

Well, some things you can expect, like occasional Monty Python references on any English website. I love it!

Good luck on your stout search, Orlando. I'd love to know what you find.

Side note: I've heard good things about the Hexhamshire Shire Bitter too, what did you think of it?

That was the other beer I had. It was OK, very pleasant, nothing spectacular just a solid English Bitter that you would have no problem spending an evening with, just not exciting. I didn't mind that though. It drank a little thin so I felt the malt was missing a bit but the bittering was crisp and not too intrusive.

[seymour]

Side note: I've heard good things about the Hexhamshire Shire Bitter too, what did you think of it?

That was the other beer I had. It was OK, very pleasant, nothing spectacular just a solid English Bitter that you would have no problem spending an evening with, just not exciting. I didn't mind that though. It drank a little thin so I felt the malt was missing a bit but the bittering was crisp and not too intrusive.

Cool, thanks! Sounds like a nice session ale, or maybe a chaser for your elusive stout.

I just noticed the open fermentation on their website. Very, very cool. Those distinctive esters would account for some of the deliciousness.

[orlando]

I've emailed so will report back if I get a response worthy of it. I also saw those rectangles on their site but thought there was a lid to them. Also couldn't work out what those two implements are at the front of them either.

[orlando]

The Brewer is Geoff Brooker and he has only gone and replied. What a guy.
This is what he has said:

"The beer was Blackhall English Stout……………..OG 1041 4.1%ABV

84% Pale Ale malt……….6% Brown malt ………..10% Roasted Barley

100% Fuggles hops………………….very important

Cask conditioned certainly no added gas; mixed or otherwise.Yeast was originally a London Yeast from Wyeyeast in the USA ‘a true top cropper’


Good luck..Pleased you enjoyed the Dipton Mill



Geoff Brooker"

[Dave S]

The Brewer is Geoff Brooker and he has only gone and replied. What a guy.
This is what he has said:

"The beer was Blackhall English Stout……………..OG 1041 4.1%ABV

84% Pale Ale malt……….6% Brown malt ………..10% Roasted Barley

100% Fuggles hops………………….very important

Cask conditioned certainly no added gas; mixed or otherwise.Yeast was originally a London Yeast from Wyeyeast in the USA ‘a true top cropper’


Good luck..Pleased you enjoyed the Dipton Mill



Geoff Brooker"

Sounds like one for the recipe book. A nice winter job.

[6470zzy]

The Brewer is Geoff Brooker and he has only gone and replied. What a guy.
This is what he has said:

"The beer was Blackhall English Stout……………..OG 1041 4.1%ABV

84% Pale Ale malt……….6% Brown malt ………..10% Roasted Barley

100% Fuggles hops………………….very important

Cask conditioned certainly no added gas; mixed or otherwise.Yeast was originally a London Yeast from Wyeyeast in the USA ‘a true top cropper’


Good luck..Pleased you enjoyed the Dipton Mill



Geoff Brooker"

That's brilliant He not only replied in person but handed you the recipe too, good on him

Cheers

[jmc]

The Brewer is Geoff Brooker and he has only gone and replied. What a guy.
This is what he has said:

"The beer was Blackhall English Stout……………..OG 1041 4.1%ABV

84% Pale Ale malt……….6% Brown malt ………..10% Roasted Barley

100% Fuggles hops………………….very important

Cask conditioned certainly no added gas; mixed or otherwise.Yeast was originally a London Yeast from Wyeyeast in the USA ‘a true top cropper’


Good luck..Pleased you enjoyed the Dipton Mill



Geoff Brooker"

That's brilliant He not only replied in person but handed you the recipe too, good on him

Cheers

+1

Glad your perseverance bore fruit. Result!

[seymour]

So, Orlando, sounds like you love Fuggles hops, eh?

The Brewer is Geoff Brooker and he has only gone and replied. What a guy.
This is what he has said...Yeast was originally a London Yeast from Wyeyeast in the USA ‘a true top cropper’...[/i]

Hmmm, interesting. Probably Wyeast 1028 "London Ale", believed to be the Worthington White Shield strain, but also could be Wyeast 1968 "London ESB", believed to be the Fullers strain. Both are phenomenal English ale yeasts, obviously.