To celebrate the upcoming Cask Ale Week, which runs from 22nd September to 2nd October 2022, an innovative team from Rock-based Sharp’s Brewery have created Coaster Alfonso. This limited-edition brew is a contemporary reimagining of one of the first ever Sharp’s brews, Coaster, with a refreshing mango twist.
Sharp’s constantly encourages development and creativity, and a fun in-house competition between the brewing teams helped to drive a new take on the classic Coaster recipe, resulting in a 4.1% pale ale that combines the latest brewing trends with a more traditional recipe in one glass.
Coaster Alphonso represents the collaboration of six minds from one of the Sharp’s Brewery teams: Stuart Blow, Mark Young, Warren Jackson, Imogen Tointon, Martin Shiers and Paddy Carter, who collectively make up Team Coaster (Sharp’s have four brewing teams, each named after historic or existing Sharp’s beers). The competition for Cask Ale Week reflects Sharp’s commitment to honouring traditional cask ale production, with a contemporary mindset.
The resulting brew is an aromatic, low-bitterness pale ale with a mango twist that aims to have a widespread appeal. Sharp’s Coaster has been updated with new flavours from tweaks such as dry hopping with azacca hops, and the ‘Alphonso’ moniker comes from the alphonso mango, a highly sweet and distinctly zesty tasting fruit which gives this brew its unique twist.
Imogen Tointon, brewing team member from Team Coaster, said, “Being so involved in the process of creating a brew from start to finish has been amazing. Coaster Alphonso was a really challenging undertaking for all of us on the team, but we are all so happy with how it’s turned out. We have had a lot of creative freedom to do whatever kind of brew really interests us, and we are excited to share it with drinkers for Cask Ale Week. I designed the pump clip myself and I’m really proud to be involved in something so unique.”
Head Brewer at Sharp’s Brewery, Aaron McClure, said, “It is really impressive to see the amount of work that Team Coaster put into designing, planning for and eventually making this brew. The beer is a much-welcomed innovation, building on the fundamental Sharp’s brewing process with new flavours and techniques. This brew is a celebration of cask ale, and the creativity of the people behind it.”
To celebrate the launch of Coastal Alphonso, and the start of Cask Ale Week, Sharp’s is inviting beer lovers to Meet the Brewers at The Front in Falmouth on Thursday 22nd September from 5pm. Situated on the picturesque Customs House Quay, The Front is one of Cornwall’s most committed establishments when it comes to cask ales.
Max Bosley, Manager of The Front, Falmouth, said, “Cask ale is very much embedded in our society and our culture. It’s been amazing to see how cask ale styles have changed over the years, and how the craft beer movement has brought a new interest in cask, and an interest and knowledge of the care that goes into that type of beer. At The Front we have a very diverse set of customers. We have visitors from all over the world and there’s definitely a big interest in Cornish and British cask ales. Customers from overseas are really interested in the different hand pulls and pump clips, and the care and attention that goes into brewing and keeping cask beer.”
Max continues, “For me, cask ale is like the pub itself, an institution. The pub is the place where different people come together and share thoughts on everything from beer to life in general. Long before I worked at The Front, I met my partner here over a pint of cask ale, and I’ve made lots of friends here too. So yes, cask ale is very special to me and we’re delighted to support all the team at Sharp’s and play our part in national Cask Ale Week.”
The first 30 attendees through the door of The Front at 5pm on Thursday 22nd September will receive a complimentary pint* and everyone will be able to meet a number of the brewers behind this special celebratory ale, and ask as many questions as they would like about the art of Cask ale brewing.
Coastal Alphonso will be available for a limited time at selected outlets during Cask Ale Week, which runs from 22nd September to 2nd October. For more information on Sharp’s Brewery, visit the website.
*T&Cs apply: 18+ only. First 30 people through the door of The Front after 5pm on Thursday 22nd September will get a complimentary pint of Coaster Alfonso. Limited to 1 pint per person. ID may be requested.
