Attending: Richard Swindells, Andy Whittaker, Graham Smith, James Pettifor, Justin Dean, Steve Plampton, Tony Tilbury, Dave Caels, Steve Bennett, Peter Burgess.

Introductions

Not needed as we all knew one another.

We tasked Tony with ordering some pizzas for lunch (as the Walnut does not serve their own food). It took two attempts – one of which was cancelled by the pizza company – but success was achieved! Tony needs to let folk know what they each owe and how to pay him.

Brief update on AGM & 2024 activities

ACB AGM – We had spoken about using the Red Lion in Manningtree during last month’s meeting in Colchester. Graham Smith had enquired with the pub and it seemed they had expressed a little disquiet about us bringing beer into the pub, but the meeting was reminded that the AGM is usually based on drinking the pub’s beers. Graham said he’d talk to them again. Date already set for 20^th Jan (I think).

ACB 2024 homebrew competition – ongoing with Nick Davis (who was away sampling Belgian beers in Belgium).

Brewery Tour 2024:

• Hook Norton Brewery (Colin Miller not present, so no update)
• Woodfordes Brewery – Steve Plampton reported that there has been somewhat negative pushback from the MD of Woodfordes such that a visit looks very unlikely. And they won’t share recipe details or yeast!
• Burnt Mill brewery tour and tasting event – James Pettifor reported that he’d heard back from Sophie deRonde (Head Brewer) who said that they cannot accommodate a brewery tour, but are happy to share recipe details. We agreed for JP to approach Sophie and propose that she join a Saturday meeting to talk about BM and judge some of our efforts at cloning one of their beers (a Gluten Free one, as it is thought that she is a coeliac).
• Final thought was that Wibblers at Southminster would be a distinct possibility. Travel was discussed at some length, but given that we travelled 4 hours+ to Oakham, not an overriding issue! Steve P has the contact details and agreed to pursue.

History of IPAs – a talk by Tony Tilbury

Tony availed himself of the pub’s projector and screen to present a set of slides describing the evolution of the IPA style from its’ beginnings in October beers brewed for the English gentry into the extensive and broad-range of styles we see today.

The talk was based on Mitch Steel’s book “IPA: Brewing Techniques, Recipes and the Evolution of India Pale Ale” and also on Ron Pattinson’s blog “Shut up about Barclay Perkins” https://barclayperkins.blogspot.com/ .

I also noted that Tony mentioned that what is now St. Pancras Eurostar terminal was a large beer store in the 18/19^th Centuries. Remarkable!

The talk was punctuated by the arrival of lunch and finished with Tony’s challenge suggestions:

1. A Historical IPA – oak/barrel aged, perhaps including some Brett ageing;
2. A post-war (1950s-1980s) English style IPA, perhaps something like a Ballantines’ IPA (albeit that is an American beer)
3. A Pioneer IPA – A 1980s-1990s USA inspired IPA featuring early American “C” hops.

No decision was made – this is left to regional chairs to decide what to do.

Beer Challenge – dark beers

We returned to an ACB Saturday tradition by judging a selection of beers presented (sort of blind) for members assessment.

1. A Dark Mild 3.8% by Andy Whittaker. A lovely beer, albeit a bit over-carbonated and a touch too bitter for style (maybe because of the carbonation level)
2. A Sweet Stout 4.6% (Tony Tilbury). Super dark beer (my notes say “impenetrable to light”) with a light sweetness, some restrained malts and a little chocolate, but rather a short finish. Otherwise very pleasant. Steve P suggested that Tony get a bottle of Mackeson as a reference.
3. A Black IPA 5/7% (Dave Caels). Universally admired, albeit some members felt it could have been a little more bitter and a bit stronger for a Black IPA.
4. An American Stout 6.8% (Richard Swindells). Another very good beer. Rather bitter for my taste, but certainly showing lots of American hop character.
5. Another American Stout 8% (Steve Bennett). This was a beer Steve had kept for a couple of years and unfortunately it had suffered as a result with some wild yeast infection leading to rather sharp, acidic overtones to the winter spices.
6. An American Chocolate Stout 9.4% (Peter Burgesss). A beer with quite some presence! I found a little chorophenol in the aroma and a touch of wet cardboard in the flavour suggesting some oxidation, even though Peter said the beer was quite young. Warming alcohol and plenty of flavour. A good beer.
7. An Imperial Stout 12.7% (James Pettifor). A strong, warming stout which Steves P and B took a liking to! Based on a Cross My Loof AG kit, it didn’t attenuate as much as I wanted, so I added 1ml Amyloglucosidase enzyme which took the FG down to 1.010 (having started at 1.099) giving quite a dry finish. At 8 months old, it may continue to improve, but maybe the dryness will become excessive. Maybe I’ll bring some back next December!

Top 3 beers:

3^rd: Peter’s American Chocolate Stout

2^nd: Dave’s Black IPA

1^st: James’ Imperial Stout

There were several comments that was good to do this type of event as it adds interest.

Thanks also to Justin who served as Beer Steward.

Any Other Beers

Justin introduced his keg Chocolate Dark Mild (3.2%). No chocolate was used, only chocolate malt. Lovely soft carbonation and an easy drinking session beer which was enjoyed by all.

Graham Smith presented his American Blond (5.5%). He told us it was only boiled for 30 mins with Chinook at the start, Amarillo and Citra at 15mins, more Amarillo and Citra at 5mins and dry hopped with Chinook and Citra. This delivered a lovely peachy sweetness in a beer which was beautifully conditioned. A great beer which we all would have happily drank at least a pint. Sadly, there was not that much available!

Steve Plampton then shared his attempt at Simmonds Bitter (6.2%) from the Durden Park Beer circle book. It is based on a recipe from 1864. Nice English hop aromas (all Goldings I think Steve said) and some nice fruitiness in the mouth. Unfortunately, excessively carbonated (the jug was mostly full of foam), but probably from having been kept several months.

Steve Plampton presented his mystery dark beer. No-one was sure what it was. Maybe a Dubbel? Maybe a Barleywine? The consensus was that it was delicious. I think Justin grabbed the spare bottle to take home.

James presented an attempted Duvel clone (9.5%) brewed with English lager malt, white sugar, Saaz hops and yeast cultivated from Duvel bottled beer. Clear golden beer with a substantial foam. It is stronger than the “real thing” and a touch sweeter, despite finishing at 1.001 (alcohol sweetness?). The meeting seemed to enjoy it, albeit suggesting that it might be closer to a Karmeleit Tripel (thanks for the suggestion for what to enter it as for the next competition).

Finally, Tony topped everything with his Braggot (I think he said 13%). This was a 8% barleywine which he fed with 2Kg honey in 500g increments. I’d never tasted one before, but hope to again. The honey gave a nice sweetness up front to complement the maltiness from the original beer, but did not leaving it feeling overly sweet. In fact, there was sufficient dryness in the finish to ensure drinkability. Lovely stuff!

Finally, we stayed for more beer and the headed off to Stowmarket station for the trains back to our various destinations. I think we left Steve Bennett there as he had a later train. I’m hoping he got away and home, safely.

Conclusion

In conclusion, a very good meeting enjoyed by one and all. The pub were very hospitable.

Next meeting will be the AGM in January; keep an eye on the website, social media and Slack messenger for further updates.