Sharp’s Brewery has today announced the launch of Two Tides, a limited release created in collaboration with its Canadian sister brewery, Granville Island Brewing Co.
Available across the on-trade in the UK, the golden pale ale forms part of a recipe swap as Sharp’s Atlantic goes on sale in Canada throughout February and March.
The recipe swap is the first of its kind for Sharp’s, and comes after head brewer, Andrew Madden, met Granville Island’s head brewer, Kevin Emms, at a Denver brewing conference.
Sharp’s and Granville Island share similar backgrounds, with both starting out as smaller regional breweries that went on to experience rapid growth in more recent years. The similarities also cover their brewing styles.
Two Tides is a popular West Coast beer, combining the well-hopped flavour of a traditional IPA with lower alcohol levels to create an accessible high-quality beer. The beer has fruity and floral hop aromas and a moderate hop bitterness, balanced by lightly sweet malt flavours.
Andrew said: “We’re really excited to announce the launch of this brilliant limited release, Two Tides. The beer is the first recipe swap from across the pond for us, and it is a great opportunity for UK customers to sample a taste of our sister brewery in Canada, Granville Island.
“Myself and Kevin are on the same page when it comes to brewing — we both have an affinity with the pale ale style and particularly enjoy experimenting with it. We’re also committed to brewing the best products possible and hope Sharp’s customers enjoy Two Tides, the first of our limited release brews for this year.”
Kevin adedd: “As a Canadian West Coaster, it was such a privilege to visit Sharp’s in Cornwall and spend time with a group that clearly shared a lot of our values. We are delighted to work with Sharp’s on the launch of Two Tides in the UK to spread a little bit of our West Coast with theirs, and then bring Sharp’s Atlantic back here to Vancouver.
“This collaboration project with Sharp’s is definitely the most exciting collaboration I’ve been involved with. I know there is real excitement among UK beer drinkers for North American styled craft beers, and equally there is a thirst in North America for truly authentic British Ales.
“By spending time together and sharing recipes and ideas, this project allows both of us to share something unique and awesome with our customers, and I just can’t wait for a fresh pint of Atlantic!”
David Nicholls, general manager of Granville Island, said: “There is no better time to be in the beer industry and this collaboration brew is a great example of what beer drinkers get to enjoy when two breweries get together. We’re excited to be sharing our beer with Sharp’s fans in the UK as we share a great Sharp’s beer, Atlantic, with Granville beer drinkers in Canada.”
Sharp’s will be donating five pence from every pint sold of the limited release brew to the Blue Flag initiative, a charity that works to help preserve and protect beaches in Cornwall. Sharp’s has been supporting Blue Flag for the last couple of years through its limited release programme of beers, raising over £16,000 through beer sales in 2015.
