CONGRATULATIONS to Cloudwater Brewing Company, whose second birthday fell on Valentine’s Day. Typically they consummated their love affair with the hop by producing two celebratory beers that didn’t stint on the pungent green cones.
Recently named one of the 10 best breweries in the universe by RateBeer, geeks with credibility, Ancoats-based Cloudwater couldn’t resist releasing these special small batch brews in artfully designed cans, available only from the brewery.
ToM made the trek up to the Piccadilly estate on Tuesday morning, hoping to make the cut, which we did. Such 9per cent ABV perfection doesn’t come cheap. The DIPAv12 clocked in at £6 a 33cl can, the Birthday DIPA, with a hop content aiming for the stratosphere, at £6.25.
Are they worth double the price of the standard IPAs from the likes of Beavertown, Magic Rock and Runaway? Well, the ABV of the Birthday DIPA, classified as an Imperial IPA is nine per cent and, according to Cloudwater “dry-hopped our highest rate yet, 25 g/l featuring 2016 harvest Citra. Fermented on 4775th generation JW Lees yeast for tropical fruit esters to balance the dank hops.” Our verdict: dense, murky, fruity and more-ish, but if you like more malty balance look away now.
The same applies to the more restrained DIPAv12, latest in a long line of seasonally varied hop showcases in a glass (this one featuring aroma hops Mosaic, Nelson Sauvin, Chinook and Citra. We’ve been following their progress (oops, missed their v11) at the Pilcrow Pub in Sadler’s Yard, which is co-run by Cloudwater founder Paul Jones.
The Birthday DIPA is on draugght at selected outlets and available at the brewery this weekend (17-20) as long as it lasts.
Cloudwater, Units 7 & 8, Piccadilly Trading Estate, Manchester M1 2NP. 0161 661 5943. Brewery tap is open on Fridays 4pm-9pm, Saturdays 12pm-8pm, and Sundays 12pm-5pm. Combine a visit with dropping in on nearby Pollen Bakery to purchase the best bread in the city. What a shame the city centre can't sustain a quality cheese shop, too.
