Beer #76 - W/C 8 August 2016
BREWERY // In mid-2012 Richard Burhouse was running an online craft beer subscription club called MyBreweryTap when he decided to start Magic Rock Brewery. A year after brewing commenced, the club had been sold and the new brewery declared '2nd Best New Brewery in the World' on RateBeer. The Huddersfield brewery recently celebrated its 5th birthday having seen astonishing growth in those first years. Burhouse was inspired by the big, fresh, hop-forward American beers from the likes of Stone and they are exactly what they brew. Magic Rock are known for big IPA's but they seemingly can't go wrong whatever style they turn to- we think it is awesome that they have a Gooseberry Gose as part of their core range. Richard worked as a graphic designer for a decade before the Magic started which may explain the frankly awesome branding and can design. Magic Rock recently brewed a collaborative beer with Wellington's Fork & Brewer as part of the Rainbow Project, Kelly told us that it will not be available in cans/bottles so we're looking forward to seeking out a keg when it is released.
TASTING NOTES // The 'Big C' American hops in High Wire have a lot of high alpha acid content making for a bitter beer. They also provide a lot of citrus flavour with notable grapefruit notes. It seems like a natural next step to throw a load of actual grapefruit into the mix to make a juicy, bitter super-beer. Magic Rock are in good company with a handful of other breweries putting out brilliant grapefruit beers in the past couple of years. High Wire Grapefruit has a big initial hit of of the fruit (as you might expect) but that soon gives way to a delicious fruit loaf malt body which in turn is supported by a melody of tropical, grassy hops. This Pale Ale finishes crisp and dry and tastes like almost like soft drink that has been created for grown-ups who love beer.
BREWERY // Magic Rock
BEER // Cannonball High Wire Grapefruit
STYLE // Pale Ale
ORIGIN // Huddersfield, Yorkshire
HOPS // Cascade, Centennial, Chinook, Citra, Columbus, Magnum
MALTS // Acidulated, Golden Promise, Munich, Vienna
ABV // 7.45.5%
TEMPERATURE // Cool- 10-14C
FOOD MATCH // Guacamole & corn chips. Seared Scallops. Quesadilla with cashew mozzarella and chipotle cream. Lemon drizzle cake.
GLASS // IPA Glass, Tulip