Sharp’s Brewery has collaborated with the local Padstow Cheese Company on a special project using Sea Fury beer.
Sea Fury — formerly Sharp’s Special — is used as a brine to soak fresh cheese in, creating a continental Alpine-style cheese, 50 Jack.
The project came about as a result of a conversation between Ed Hughes, Sharp’s beer sommelier, Sam Lyne, Sharp’s hospitality and retail manager, and Lawrence and Rosea from the Padstow Cheese Company. The exclusive product came to fruition some 12 months later and has become an instant hit with some of Cornwall’s top chefs.
All of Padstow Cheese Company’s cheeses contain the name Jack in the titles. The team landed on ‘50 Jack’ because it is brined in 50% beer for 50 hours, so the significance of this figure felt fitting. Semi-hard and hand-made in small batches, it is creamy with a rich aroma, tasting slightly sweet and yeasty, with a bitter ale finish.
Award winner
The cheese was recently entered into the Virtual Cheese Awards, winning a silver medal. The judges remarked on its ‘very interesting flavour’. They also noted that it tasted and gave off the pleasant aroma of berries, which is a flavour note that Sea Fury shares.
Ed Hughes said: “Beer and cheese work remarkably well together in many contexts, whether that is paired together or, as in this case, the cheese is infused with the beer in production.
“The fact that 50 Jack has been so highly lauded, across Cornwall and beyond, reiterates this. We were super excited to work with the Padstow Cheese Company to develop 50 Jack as we love what they do. They are exceptional cheesemakers.”
