Sharp’s Brewery is marking Cask Ale Week — which got under way yesterday — with the launch of a limited edition blood orange hazy IPA Orange Haze.
The ale is the brainchild of Sharp’s finance manager, Emma Bradley, who won the annual Cask Ale Week competition. The in-house contest reflects Sharp’s commitment to honouring traditional cask production, with a contemporary mindset.
Everyone, from brewers to the brand and finance teams, gets involved and feel empowered as they enjoy implementing their own creativity and ideas. Cask Ale Week 2023 saw the development of New Zingland, a 5.4% ABV hazy pale ale.
The varied entries were judged by Sharp’s technical brewer, Jon Wide, on the criteria of beer name, creativity, style, ingredients, and accompanying story, with the winning product going into development in time for Cask Ale Week.
The triumphant Orange Haze has now been developed by Jon and Emma, who collectively spent time researching how they could introduce the flavours to bring the idea and recipe to life.
It is now available from various outlets in Cornwall, including The Mariners in Rock, The Blisland Inn, The Front in Falmouth, and The Brendon Arms in Bude. It can also be purchased from Sharp’s on-site and online shops.
At 5.2% ABV, Orange Haze boasts a full blood orange experience with a fresh citrus aroma, a sweet but sharp taste, and an assertive bitterness.
It has been created using a mixture of blood orange peels and juice concentrates to drive the citrus flavour and some new world hops to complement it. The oats and wheat add an orange haze and a silky mouthfeel. It is fully suitable for vegans.
“Although there were some incredible entries this year, Emma hit us with a unique recipe for a tasty blood orange hazy IPA and it really stood out,” said Jon.
“She even went into the detail of describing how her beer would pair perfectly with her husband’s homemade barbecue duck boa buns, duck terrine, and dark chocolate tart, which really got my and the other judges’ mouths watering!”
Emma said: “I am very proud of the final product, and was delighted to win the competition. It was fantastic to use my creativity in a way that is quite different from my everyday role at the brewery. #
“Orange Haze tastes even better than I imagined it would, and I hope beer drinkers enjoy sampling it as much as I enjoyed masterminding it!”
