Sharp’s Brewery has collaborated with chef Paul Ainsworth on the first beer of its 2020 Adventure Series, Sublime Sundown (4.8% ABV).
A ‘steam’ style beer, Sublime Sundown celebrates the beautiful spring sunsets that Cornwall offers.
The zesty amber ale was initially inspired by a dish served at Paul Ainsworth’s pub in Rock, The Mariners. Hunters’ Snags comprises Cornish sausages roasted in butter and thyme, with a dollop of thick-cut orange marmalade and mustard.
The process of creating Sublime Sundown involved Paul and Sharp’s head brewer, Aaron McClure, working backwards from the signature dish, combining smooth blood orange flavours with a light and fruity body to produce a moreish, refreshing pint.
Sublime Sundown’s zesty hints and subtle toffee undertone give the beer its smooth, full-flavoured, fresh, citrussy taste, and make it the perfect beer to pair with rich and succulent meats, such as duck, honey roast ham and, of course, The Mariner’s Hunters Snags.
Steam beer is created by utilising a hybrid yeast which combines lager and ale characteristics to produce a bitter-sweet blend with a deep amber shade.
Aaron said: “We are really excited to launch our first Adventure Series beer of 2020. We have used our combined technical knowledge as a brewing team with Paul Ainsworth, who has an expert understanding of flavour, to create this stunning, balanced brew. Sublime Sundown is perfect to be enjoyed as the nights lighten.
“Brewing of the limited release and Adventure Series beers is always an exciting time for us on the team here, and we hope everyone enjoys this fruity brew as much as we enjoyed making it.”
Paul added: “Collaborating with Sharp’s Brewery to come up with our very own limited-edition beer has been one of the most exciting, creative, and rewarding projects I’ve ever been involved with. The flavour profile in this beer is everything I wanted it to be.
“What I also wanted to try and incorporate in this beer is an old-fashioned blending known as steam style beer. This allowed us to combine the characteristics of lager and ale, which makes for a really moreish beer. The colour and pour of which just look incredible in the glass.”
