#ISBFX Brewday 9 - Ampersand (or "The Bucket List Gets a Tick")
“… On the last leg of a journey
They started a long time ago
The arc of a love affair
Rainbows in the high desert air
Mountain passes
Slipping into stones
Hearts and bones…. “
“Hearts & Bones” - Paul Simon
There are a number of reasons that I found myself driving along the A17 in the coal black early Lincolnshire morning.
You don't need to know them all.
I think it was ISBF 7 when I first met Andy Hipwell. I was a fan of his beers - it's a rare thing for me to ask breweries to supply if I'm not - but I was simply astonished when he walked through the doors at Hemsley House.
It's not easy getting from Diss to Salford. It's a bloody long way, with no easy route. I know. My family travelled to Great Yarmouth every year for holidays when I was a kid.
It was at that point that I NEEDED to get to Diss to brew.
I tried. I didn't drive, so checked train services. 3 changes. London. Newmarket. Ely.
But that bucket list needed ticking. Before I give this up.
Buying a car changed things….
The 3rd of 3 Brewdays in 4 days.
I don't drive 2 1/2 hours in the dark for just anybody.
Arriving, I was struck by the size of the building. But that was soon explained once Andy opened the door.
A wonderful, spacious Taproom. The space for which was one of the benefits of relocation.
I'm a brewery nerd more than I'm a beer nerd. And this place, this kit, won me over the moment I entered.
A lot of thought and planning went into this. And it's so worth it.
What a lovely place. Smitten, but I wasn't here to gawp. I was here to make beer…… so, introduced to Ben, we got on with it….
Like most beers, the vast majority of the grist (malt bill) was Pale, with small amounts of Munich & Caramalt / Caragold for colour and body / mouthfeel.
Discussing this brew over several weeks, this was a beer for me. Right up my street. A Session Pale loaded with classic US hops.
With a relatively straightforward malt bill - and a fabulous mash tun - the grains were soon fully hydrated and giving up their precious sugars
It's fun when you have design input. And can select some of the hops. Absolute Catnip Central.
Opening bags of Hops is such an aromatic joy.
Having enjoyed (and I REALLY do) the malty smells, transfer was complete to the kettle and it was a matter of waiting to “dig” out the soaked malt for the local cows to enjoy.
There was an impressive focus on sustainability and environmental impact - all part of the thought and planning here.
I was crushing harder….
An early addition of Columbus hops for bittering didn't hurt!
Nor did the lush BBQ that Andy sorted for us all for lunch..
Digging out was semi auto, so didn't take too long, with the rest being cleaning….
..... and late hop additions pre “flameout” (turning off the heat), a lovely mix of Simcoe, Azacca, Centennial (aka Jimbo Catnip) & Mosaic.
Aroma central. To say the least.
Like attracts like. Andy & Amy Hipwell are good beer people.
And they've built a lovely team here. Ben, Ellie, James & Pip were so warm, welcoming and extremely tolerant of my questioning, phones calls and laptop bashing!
I just wish I lived nearer. They've got a fabulous set up here, a magnificent and lovely Taproom and they wouldn't have a beer on the bar at Hemsley House of they didn't make fabulous beer…. Which they must definitely do.
So. What have we brewed?
Paper Boats. A beer that couldn't be more in my wheelhouse if it was a wheel in my house.
Pintable, refreshing a beer from the Best Coast brewed on the East Coast.
Yum.
Massive thanks to the Team. And I can't thank Andy & Amy enough for inviting me.
Got to say, was a bit emosh driving away.
3 collab brewdays in 4 days. Shattered, but this day was special.
X
Now then, I had to get back to Sleaford via the A10 and Kings Lynn.
Slight diversion time…
I had to….
Back soon. With a brewday considerably closer. To say the least!
Still a few tickets available. But not for long.
Click here. Treat yourself.
And be kind to one another.
Jim x