Tetra – 4.0% Summer Blonde
We’ve already released Admiral in July, the second in our single hop series following Archer. The recipe was exactly the same in terms of everything but the hops, and this time Admiral gives gentle orange character and a pleasing bitter undercurrent. The final beer using that recipe will be Pioneer, which is out very soon, so keep an eye out and let us know on sales@thehopshed.co.uk if we don’t currently supply your local and you’d like us to approach them about stocking it. Our current seasonal beer is Tetra, a four hop, four percent Blonde ale designed for easy drinking on hot days in a beer garden. The combination of Mystic, Harlequin, and two experimental hops produce an array of tropical fruit flavours over a lighter body and slightly higher carbonation than our typical style; it practically sold out to pubs before we’d started delivering it, so it definitely has their buy-in!
This month, rather than an article I thought I’d introduce our newest team member. Tommy started last week as an apprentice brewer and we be splitting his time between the brewery and bar. You may have already seen him on our social media, but I asked him a couple of questions so you could get to know him:
Where did you interest in brewing come from?
From drinking great beer and wanting to know how it was made. This then opened up a whole world of creativity and an endless quest for delicious beer! I have been making wine and beer at home since my teens and this has transformed from seeing how cheap I can make stuff to experimenting with herbs and wacky flavourings such as a recent Lea & Perrins beer to commemorate moving to Worcester.
What is your favourite style of beer?
I like them all! Especially with how varied beer can be, it is difficult to pinpoint a favourite, but I lean towards the darker and stronger beers which is why Phoenix is my favourite Hop Shed beer. Special shout out to Batham’s as I grew up a short walk from the brewery and is one of my go-to drink.
What are you most looking forward to about the job?
I am looking forward to getting to know and taste the local British grown hops that are growing right outside the brewery and meeting all you lovely customers in the taproom.
Besides brewing, what else are you interested in?
Before this I was working in horticulture growing fruit and veg and if I am not in a pub, I will be down the allotment (often with a beer in hand!).
You’ll hear more from Tommy as he’ll be writing one or two blogs in the future; as he gains experience he’ll also have a hand in designing some of the seasonal beers, and hopefully our collaboration will produce some new and exciting ideas!
