As craft brewing is developing, new approaches to brewing are taking root and growing.  Gypsy brewing is a relatively new concept which is adding to the diversity in the range of beers available.

Our two beers for to-day are both Brown Paper Bag Project beers.  Pleasant Porter – a classic Porter –  and Big Red – an Imperial Red Ale.

Gypsy Brewing –

There is a massive growth in craft brewing in Ireland and around the world.  Craft brewing has largely grown out of people who wanted to bring the beers that they brewed in their ‘hobby’ home brewing to the market.  For the most part, craft brewers are seen as people who have invested in starting up a small brewery with the goal of brewing the beers that they wanted to brew.

Gypsy brewing is a mid-way point between craft brewing in one’s own brewery and contract brewing.  The gypsy brewer makes use of a brewery owned by another person.  The gypsy brewer designs the beer independent of or in collaboration with the brewer at the brewery brewing the beer.  The ‘vision’ for the beer comes from the gypsy brewer – using another’s brewery allows the gypsy brewer to translate this vision into a reality.  The key difference between contract brewing and gypsy brewing is the way in which the gypsy brewer takes a direct, hands-on approach to involvement in brewing the beer.  The gypsy brewer will either directly the brew the beer himself in the other brewery, or will be directly involved in the brew from concept, brewing through to packaging – physically involved in all aspects of turning his vision for a new beer into reality.

Gypsy brewing removes the need for the significant level of investment that can come with opening one’s own brewery.  One could argue that this allows the gypsy brewer to focus more on the art and execution of their vision for their beer.

Pleasant Porter is Brown Paper Bag’s interpretation of the classic porter.  At 6.6% a.b.v., it is above average strength.  Aromas for Pleasant Porter include espresso coffee, roast malt, cocoa, and a subtle hint of smokiness in the background.  There is a sweetness in the aroma that develops after the first sniff into liquorice and aniseed.  The suggestion of fruit sweetness is also present on the aroma.

It is porter the way it should be – not afraid to deliver a complexity of flavour, but delivering this flavour in an incredibly drinkable way.  Pleasant Porter is an excellent interpretation of the classic historic porter style.

Big Red is a modern interpretation of the Imperial Red Ale style. While malt is the pre-dominant character associated with classic red ale, Big Red introduces a full and varied combination of hop-derived character. A beer that will be a delight to hop heads looking for a new interpretation of a classic beer style.

The first, most notable thing about the aroma of Big Red is the fruitiness in evidence. The sweetness associated with the blend of Munich and melanoidin malt combines with the fruit character and the refined spiciness from the hops The result is a suggestion of blackcurrant or dark cherry combining with floral pine on the nose.

Lovers of hop character, and people looking for a richer, distinct and complex beer will absolutely love this beer.