LBW19 - Ilkley Brewery

The most interesting thing about the brew days that the Liverpool Beer Collective has undertaken is the variety of brewery that we have worked in.  From small, two to three barrel kits with breweries that have huge fermentation vessels and the capacity to produce beer on a scale befitting a brewery that supplies supermarket chains, we’ve see quite a broad spectrum.

Ilkley Brewery fall into the latter; whilst they are not supplying any of the ‘big four’ supermarkets, the likes of Booths (who do have a remarkable range, blazing the trail for other supermarkets with the quality and breadth of selection) benefit from stocking beers made on Ilkley’s premises.

We first met Ilkley’s head honcho, Luke, at the Liverpool Craft Beer Expo about five years ago and he gave a very impressive talk about Ilkley’s beers and remit, so much so that we have felt it’s a shame not to have seen much of their wares here on Merseyside since.  With the aim of rekindling the camaraderie and producing a stunning beer, we made enquiries to Ilkley about getting involved in Liverpool Beer Week and thankfully, they were only too happy to oblige.

Due to the rather fraught experience with traffic around Manchester en route to Ilkley, we arrived post mashing in, but were present for the sparging on the smaller brew kit, which did require some manual encouragement from time to time!  Whilst we weren’t able to brew on Ilkley’s ‘Big Kit’ on the brew day, we did get to see some big brewing and also meet another collaborator for the day in William’s Brother’s Chris – present to help brew a Spruce IPA in conjunction with a third party in Harviestoun Brewing.  The brew we produced on the day was one accommodating an idea from the Liverpool Beer Collective of a four grained and four hopped IPA or Pale Ale; with some fine tuning and amendment Ilkley produced an enticing recipe.

A combination of rye, wheat, golden promise and flaked oats on the malt bill met with some substantial hops – restrained amounts of Southern Cross for bittering (as we suspected the dry and occasionally aggressive finish provided by the use of rye would provide enough to work on) along with Enigma and then some big fresh Centennial and Bravo for a dry hop would provide something with a bit of a difference in aroma, flavour and body.  We’re hoping the mouthfeel and finish are as smooth as the brewday went (special shout out to Midgley’s Chip Shop round the corner from the brewery for their chip barm too, best in years! This was confirmed as a dangerously close temptation for many of the brewery’s staff), because if so, you’re all in for a treat. 

We’d also like to offer thanks to all at the brewery for their generosity and hospitality, but especially Adam and Charlie for looking after us and helping make the brewday great fun. 

Ladies and Gentlemen, Ilkley Brewery and Liverpool Beer Collective gives you; Four x Four (an all terrain IPA, of sorts!).

​Angela and Pedro.