As Cask Ale Week continues, Sharp’s Brewery has launched limited edition New Zingland, the result of a cross-brewery challenge.
Josh Tidswell, of in-house ‘Team Atlantic’ with a mini-cask of limited edition New Zingland
The annual in-house competition sees everyone at the brewery, from the brewhouse to the brand and finance teams, get involved.
Last year saw the development of Coaster Alfonso. This was a contemporary re-imagining of one of the first ever Sharp’s brews, Coaster, with a mango twist. For 2023, ‘Team Atlantic’ has created New Zingland, a 5.4% ABV hazy pale ale. It was brewed on Sharp’s pilot plant.
The beer has a creamy mouthfeel, a stonefruit and citrus sweetness, and an assertive bitterness to bring balance. The use of Motueka, Talus, and Nelson Sauvin hops, all grown in New Zealand, and the use of a Kveik yeast, give it a citrus freshness and a delicious finish, says the brewer.
New Zingland is available from The Mariners, in Rock, The Blisland Inn, The Front, in Falmouth and from the Sharp’s Brewery online shop, while stocks last.
“Here at Sharp’s, we love working in cask,” said Jonathan Wide, Sharp’s technical brewer. “It is incredible to witness the development of flavour and aroma as the yeast carries on interacting in the cask.
“I think cask lovers can pick this out, even if they don’t fully understand the science and process behind cask-conditioned beers.”
He added: “We consider our recent national launch of Solar Wave as a great example of innovation in the cask market. Because of the way we’ve brewed it, it’s got a massive flavour hit and it’s also our first certified vegan beer.
“And because it’s naturally hazy, Solar Wave retains all the complexity of flavour that is associated with cask-conditioned ales, but it’s much easier for the publican to handle. We’re not surprised that it’s doing incredibly well, with great demand from drinkers across the country.”
In another innovation, the Sherp’s team has also added QR codes onto every cask, pumpclip, bar-runner, and glass.
Jonathan said: “The QR codes make information, including videos and brewing insights, immediately available to everyone in the process — the landlord or lady, the bar team, and to the customer themselves.
“We’re all about innovating at every step of the process, from brewhouse to hand, and sharing our expertise, and Solar Wave certainly delivers this all the way.”
