It was a gorgeous sunny afternoon in St Ives when I caught up with an old friend, one I hadn’t seen for a month or three and with whom it was a delight to be reacquainted.
Janet Andrews, of Mine Brewing Co, behind the bar
The comrade in question was Penzance Brewing Co’s IPA, AKA my favourite beer. The cause of much enjoyment in the past as well as several late starts to work days. The perennial answer to the question: “You’ve gt a beer website — what’s your favourite beer, then?”
It was to be found at the latest Mine Brewing Co open weekend, at Consols on the outskirts of St Ives, where brewers and Andrews family members served a cracking range of beers from an outside bar. There were even several former customers and friends from the beloved Star Inn, Crowlas, so there was something of a reunion atmosphere.
I’m pleased to say the IPA, developed by the late Pete Elvin and carried on to the exact same recipe — and same superb result — by Rob Wilson was breathtaking as ever. Pete had been inspired by Marston’s Old Empire, a beer we both enjoyed, and you can tell in the robust maltiness, caramel nose, slightly orangey, spicy hops, and great finishing bitterness that he clearly succeeded, possibly even beyond his own expectations.
In a world dominated by fruit-bowl American-style IPAs, it’s always worth remembering how and where the style began. A taste of PZ IPA transforms one back not just to the days of The Star in its pomp, but to the days of those great historic English IPAs that new brewers are starting to have a go at. We mentioned Verdant’s Bissoe last night as a recent newcomer which has hit the mark successfully.
If you see Penzance IPA in your travels, give it a go. You won’t be disappointed. And follow Mine Brewing Co on Facebook to learn when their next open weekend is taking place. It’s a lovely family-friendly venue and there’s a great choice of drinks, even including cocktails, wines, and non-alcoholics. Next time I’ll even drink some of their beer. Promise.
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