I first met Stu Neilson on a beer buying visit to Yorkshire Ales in Snaith, he was launching a beer and the owners introduced us, briefly.
Shortly afterwards, I started visiting the shop explicitly to buy his beers.
At that time, he brewed in the cellar of one of my Holy Trinity of pubs (North Riding Brewpub). 2 moves later, the brewery - having moved out of the pub - is based in the village of Snainton, several miles from Scarbados.
I travelled the night before and enjoyed the pub quiz, it was nice to see a pub busy on a Thursday evening. Beer was consumed.
I was awakened next morning to the strains of my favourite song “The Rat”.
“Are you up love? I'll be out front in the car!”
Damn. I've never packed a bag faster.
Arriving at the brewery to see a familiar face already there (Rob Hamilton - Loughrans Malt) was a nice surprise. Rob being there before us was assuredly NOT on my bingo card! (❤️ U Rob!)
The malted barley being used for our collab was generously donated by Loughrans Malt. A lovely gesture. Rob knows fully what we try to achieve at ISBF and both North Riding & ourselves are grateful for their donation.
(I didn't promise that I wouldn't use silly photos though - see Rob “dancing” below…..) 😁
A bit of brewery prep and we were mashing in, mostly Pale Malt suggesting we were brewing firmly in the North Riding wheelhouse.
I freely confess to being a fanboy. As far as I'm concerned, Stu is one of this country's finest brewers. Dark, Pale, Session, Big stuff. All exceptional.
But, for me, his light shines brightest in his Session Pales. Clean, hoppy, precise.
And this was where we were heading.
And i had to break up the late kettle hops….. Citra.
If you haven't broken up a fresh pack of US hops, then you're missing a fruity aromatic treat. Seems a shame to have to wash the hands!
With the mash resting nicely, giving up its beautiful fermentable sugars, it was time for Item 1 on the collab list, including a gratuitous stab at Item 2 by Stu….
Item 3 was consumed without a photo - unfortunately - but the Glaves Lamb & Apricot pie was getting shy and asked not to be photographed (a tasty, tasty pie). With the pie refusing to appear, i ventured outside to view the surrounding beauty, but got the distinct feeling that my recent pastry liaison had been sensed….
With gym being skipped the previous day - the things i “miss” for you! - digging out was a blur of shovel wielding, bag filling activity.
By this time, Malcolm had finally arrived, but neglected his activity recording responsibilities. So here's a shovel. In grain.
And the aftermath….
With boil temperature achieved in the Copper/Kettle, Stu's usual allocation of Magnum hops were added for bittering.
Unfortunately, Tom Selleck wasn't available this year for comment.
But here's some Citra that was added later (beautiful, beautiful aromatic Citra)
There are a number of traditions on a North Riding collab, several itemised in the whiteboard list above.
Item 4 is a constant soundtrack, provided by a German Internet “Radio” station. Technobase is….. an experience. Euphoric Techno, with a Teutonic Twist.
No track is immune to its covers. With some made noticeably bearable. “The Accursed Song” for instance, is almost listenable, when subjected to Technobase Treatment.
Rob certainly seemed to think so…. I think he was dancing……. (and is that Malcolm actually doing some work?)
Nothing is indeed “safe” from Technobase…
Items 5 & 6 being checked off the list (Vengaboys being more appreciated than “Dorothy's Dog”), I've never got to Item 7 (maybe I'm not trusted to be in charge of a pallet truck?), but in other news, transfer to the fermentation vessel was well and truly ongoing and the blended yeasts were introduced to their sugary victim….
Our time was almost done - given that the main hop additions would be later on, in ”dry hop” with loads of Nelson Sauvin & Krush pellets to be added in the Fermentation Vessel (having smelled some Nelson recently, you're in for a treat - if i don't drink it all first!)
I said “almost done”. But i had to take a “Malcolm Grafting” shot…
So. What have we got?
Firstly, thanks to Rob (& Loughrans Malt) for the shockingly early arrival (!) and for the generous malt donation. Hugely appreciated.
To Malcolm for finally turning up (😂) and lending his considerable “Fake Tyke Energy” to proceedings.
And to Stu & Adrian. Stu for the brewing. The Technobase. The almost believable fluidity in the German Language. And for just being himself. One lovely human. Adrian for his patience with my constant door knocking!
Also to Karen & The North Riding Brewpub. Some of my best sleeps are here. Nothing to do - whatsoever - with the Kernel IPA. Honest.
The journey back is always a challenge. But the people make it worth the journey.
The beer would be exceptional even if we weren't present. But each of these lovely humans gets the “point” of ISBF. They're each part of the history of the event.
And they give of themselves. Because they know (and contribute) to the endgame. That donation - when the event is done - to Start Inspiring Minds means as much to them as it does to us.
Nelson Krush. 4.3% abv. Cask.
I simply can't wait.
Can you?
Tickets here. When they’re gone….
Back soon. Another Day, Another Brewday.
Be kind to one another.
Jim x