This is the first beer in the Dry Hop Pale series of 2023. We are excited to be starting the year with a focus on some tasty New Zealand hops. The intention was to centre the beer around the unique flavours of these amazing hops and present a really well-structured and balanced cask ale that is full of flavour and drinkability.  

 Natural Mystic is dry hopped (which means hops added to the fermentation vessel, usually after primary fermentation has taken place) at a rate of 4g/l, with a blend of Nelson Sauvin and Motueka hops. Both varieties are from New Zealand which bring, among other things, fresh notes of lemon, lime, white wine and pine to the aroma of the beer.  

The malt grist comprises of a blend of standard and low colour versions of Maris Otter Malt, with a couple of sacks of torrefied wheat added for head retention and lacing. Maris Otter brings underlying notes of biscuit, cracker and general malt complexity to the beer and gives it its beautiful golden colour. 

We have fermented Natural Mystic with our house yeast culture giving the beer a characteristic clean and crisp finish, which helps bring all the flavours together and into balance. 

As always, this beer holds up perfectly well on it’s own, but if you wanted food to go with it, it’s slightly higher ABV and more robust flavour profile, could pair well with a little bit of herbal and spice flavour and maybe even some gentle heat. I’m not thinking of anything too intense, but maybe something along the lines of Middle-Eastern inspired flatbreads and falafel, or South Indian inspired curry and dosas could work well. Let us know what you think!

A massive thanks, as always, for supporting pubs and the amazing thing that is cask ale; the freshest and most social way to enjoy great beer.

Malt:  Maris Otter, Low Colour Maris Otter, Torrefied Wheat,  

Hops: Nelson Sauvin, Motueka 

Yeast: Castle Rock House Yeast Culture 

Allergens: Malted barley, Wheat (gluten)