Wednesday 25 February 2009

Califermentation

“One day if I do go to heaven...
I'll look around and say, 'It ain't bad, but it ain't San Francisco.'”


Herb Caen.

I went there (SF, not heaven) for a week back in the nineties and I sort of understand the sentiment; it's the only city I've ever remotely pined for (most pining is reserved, of course
, for Blackpool which is a town, not a city).

Even further back though, during the mid-nineteenth century gold rush, necessity (mother of invention) forced thirsty bavarian migrants into fermenting beer with lager yeast at the slightly higher ale-yeast temperatures due to a lack of refridgeration. The result was known as 'steam' beer or 'common' ale. It was quickly brewed and therefore cheap and plentiful.


'Anchor Steam' ale, brewed at the Anchor Steam Brewery is the defining example of the style and since I, US Steve and Young Phil have all visited this brewery (albeit a decade apart) we decided to pay homage to the famous ale/lager beer with our very own interpretation.
'Common Conspiracy', true to style, is an amber ale with a gentle, sweet hop aroma. It starts of beautifully malty before the German grown 'Northern Brewer' hops kick in and lend a refreshing long bitterness. It really doesn't know, or care, whether it's an ale or a lager - I don't think you'll care either.

It'll be available from next week at all decent East Kent ale houses.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Talking of necessity being the mother of invention, you would love to see what goes on in the name of beer where I am at the moment (I'm a long way from anywhere, connecting by VSAT). It's all highly illicit, and you'd be proud of them... I'll send you details!

Gadds Beers Hop said...

Mmmm, 'dry' places tend bring out the most inventive side of the human spirit. I learnt how to gain access to a pressurised beer keg at the age of 13 simply because there was some law against me getting beer in the usual way.

Tasting notes please Jo and if you dare bring some back we'll retail it from the Shop - ought to worth a premium.

Anonymous said...

I believe I left this before, but received no answer - not sure if I'm doing it right - Does anyone know, how can I find out - the calorific content of Gadd's Seasider ale? Anyone? Jude

Eddie said...

Hey Jude,

Calorific content is a test we currently don't carry out - it is expensive and the results are variable.

But, for reference, the following equation may be considered:

calorific value per 100ml = (grams of ethanol x 7)+(grams of carbohydrate x 4)+(grams of protein x 4)

That doesn't answer the question so, generally speaking, a beer will have a calorific value of around 30 to 40 kcal per 100ml (185/pint). This figure roughly correlates with the original gravity (low in Seasider) and the inverse of the degree of attenuation (high in Seasider). So about average could be expected.

Best I can do for now Jude.

Jude said...

Thanks Eddie. That's helpful and means I can now drink and estimate my calories accurately. (Certainly can't give up the beer!!) I didn't mean to post anonymously - hence the signing (!) - just haven't quite got the hang of posting! Jude

PS - why do I need to do word verification each time?