Summer's Day

Pale, hoppy ales are all the rage in these summer months and justifiably so: they do have a knack of refreshing the parts during the warm weather and our own seasonal offerings sell ridiculously well. But down here by the sea the summer months stretch away for half a year, from start to finish, and we look to break up the monotony with something to contest the notion that only gold works in the heat. We re-write the rule book, casting aside conformity and received wisdom in search of progress and enlightenment. Into the mash tun goes Munich malt to create body and sweet fullness. In too goes crystalised rye and with it colour and juicy, red berry flavours. As for the hops, well it's easy to gain thirst slaking quality from high bitterness so we avoid that, choosing instead a level of hop addition to balance the malt sweetness rather than smother it. And for hop flavour we look to varieties that will deliver a little citrus and a lot of lychee, gooseberry and white grape. The consequence is a full amber ale, replete with the flavour of summer and fashioned for contemplation at the end of another long, hot day on the beach.

On July the 25th ten summers ago, my first kid was born and my life changed in the most profound way possible (believe me, that's no understatement, ask my Mum). We called her Summer and I brought sunflowers in the morning.

The Year in Beer 08 - July

"Summer's Day"

Thanks to all of you who wrote in to let me know that July had started and no blog on the monthly special had yet appeared. Don't know what I'd do with out you.

OK, this is a vanity job. I have to be allowed the occasional indulgence. God knows I have ample opportunity and show great restraint in the main. My little girl Summer celebrates her birthday in July, hence the name of the beer. And the singular possessive in it.

"But what about the beer?" writes the regular reader (hi Mum). Well, I mashed 'Munich malt' with a little Marris Otter (don't worry, that's a variety of barley, rather than some olde english country ingredient used in cider making) and used loads of Kent grown cascade hops to give a deep, deep amber ale with a fresh green hoppy aroma, a juicy palate and firm, nay insistent, bitterness. The finish is long, sweet and bitter.



Do you like the design? The sunflowers look weird. It's the black bit in the middle.

If you're out and about this Friday evening you ought to find a pint of Summer's Day waiting for you in the Monty. I know I will.