Spring Break
'Wychraft' ale tastes magical
Mike Partel
Issue date: 5/22/09 Section: Arts & Entertainment
Hear ye, hear ye! Lock up your livestock and bolt your doors - summer is nearing and with it, the faeries and imps of yore have returned for some mischief! Well, maybe not, but brewers at the Wychwood brewery have taken it upon themselves to ship a crafty pint our way. Who knows what will ensue once the crown is uncapped?
This week, I bring you a Blonde Ale from the lovely gents at Wychwood Brewery in Witney, Oxfordshire. According to the label, Four Elements combine to create a truly Magical brew - "Wychcraft."
After purchase the old Clinch Brewery setup in 1983, Paddy Glenny began his adventurous flight into bars worldwide. Eagle Brewery eventually became Wychwood, after the medieval forest that flourished outside the town. In fable, this ancient forest shelters various mythical folk, including hobgoblins and witches, and it is because of this that the brewery employs fanciful and humorous artwork on all of its bottles. Its flagship Hobgoblin Ale boasts a much-needed challenge to predominant, pale lager drinking populations: "What's the matter Lagerboy, afraid you might taste something?" But I digress, as I am here to tell you all about its wonderful blonde.
Largely uncommon among American commercial breweries, a blonde ale is a light bodied, session-able ale. What I mean to say is that when brewed, this beer tends to be lightly hopped and maintains a mild sweetness. Neither characteristic should seem overpowering. Combined with a high carbonation, blondes are pleasant pub beers that do not overwhelm and make a nice introduction to non-ale or virgin beer drinkers.
Now, may I remind you: this is an English ale. It is not an ester playground like its many Belgian cousins - those infused with all manners of exotic flavor and form. Being as such, the perfect vessel for our blonde would have to be the workhorse English pint glass, or a Shaker at the very least, which is the American standard. The benefits to the English pint are in the reduced weight and predominant shape - they pour perfect pints, and with a session beer, an efficient glass is important.
This week, I bring you a Blonde Ale from the lovely gents at Wychwood Brewery in Witney, Oxfordshire. According to the label, Four Elements combine to create a truly Magical brew - "Wychcraft."
After purchase the old Clinch Brewery setup in 1983, Paddy Glenny began his adventurous flight into bars worldwide. Eagle Brewery eventually became Wychwood, after the medieval forest that flourished outside the town. In fable, this ancient forest shelters various mythical folk, including hobgoblins and witches, and it is because of this that the brewery employs fanciful and humorous artwork on all of its bottles. Its flagship Hobgoblin Ale boasts a much-needed challenge to predominant, pale lager drinking populations: "What's the matter Lagerboy, afraid you might taste something?" But I digress, as I am here to tell you all about its wonderful blonde.
Largely uncommon among American commercial breweries, a blonde ale is a light bodied, session-able ale. What I mean to say is that when brewed, this beer tends to be lightly hopped and maintains a mild sweetness. Neither characteristic should seem overpowering. Combined with a high carbonation, blondes are pleasant pub beers that do not overwhelm and make a nice introduction to non-ale or virgin beer drinkers.
Now, may I remind you: this is an English ale. It is not an ester playground like its many Belgian cousins - those infused with all manners of exotic flavor and form. Being as such, the perfect vessel for our blonde would have to be the workhorse English pint glass, or a Shaker at the very least, which is the American standard. The benefits to the English pint are in the reduced weight and predominant shape - they pour perfect pints, and with a session beer, an efficient glass is important.
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