OnTap Magazine

G L O B A L B R E W 10 PIG'S HEADS G L O B A L B R E W 12 CHEESE We’re back in the realm of weird meats. Right Brain Brewery from Michigan, USA brews its award- winning Mangalitsa Pig Porter using smoked pigs’ heads and bones. The parts are steeped in the boil and contribute a rich smoky and umami flavour to this porter. I’m starting to miss the prospect of a simple pale lager. Every brewer at some point comes across a reference to Digby’s Cock Ale. This very strange brew comes from a recipe book by 17th century English diplomat Sir Kenelm Digby. The recipe includes a whole chicken, wine, raisons, mace and cloves all mixed with the ale of the day and allowed to condition for seven days before drinking. Unsurprisingly, there are no commercial brewers doing this today, but many references exist for homebrewed interpretations if you are keen to give it a go. Zack’s Brewing Co. in California, USA have made a name for themselves with their inventive use of cheese in several of their beers. Born from the natural pairing between beer and cheese they have used smoked gouda in a porter and blue cheese in an IPA. They also brew a gose with gouda, jalapenos, pineapple and bacon to approximate a Hawaiian pizza (side note: does pineapple belong in a pizza beer?). It must be a really mind- bending experience to sniff a beer and smell cheese. G L O B A L B R E W 09 BACON G L O B A L B R E W 11 CHICKEN As with doughnut beers there are many beers with bacon flavours, often using smoked malts or flavouring to give the impression of bacon rather than using the real thing. One of the most interesting brews using real bacon is the Rye Hipster Brunch from Odd Side Ale in Michigan, USA. This is an imperial stout with rye malt aged in whisky barrels with coffee, maple syrup and bacon. Absolute indulgence! Brennerstrasse 17-19 · 96052 Bamberg - Germany · www.weyermannmalt.com WEYERMANN ® SPECIALTYMALTS OUR DISTRIBUTORS IN AFRICA: bevPLUS (PTY) ltd. and Dematech (PTY) ltd. 13 Michigan Street · Airport Industria · 7490 · Cape Town · South Africa www.bevplus.com Phone bevPLUS: + 27 - (021) - 820 9500 · e-mail: info@bevplus.com Phone Dematech: + 27 - (021) - 385 0483 · e-mail: info@dematechsa.com