Beer Hut x Lacada. 2 Player. Press Button.
/'Are we there yet?'
Ten minutes later.....'are we there yet?'
Once our family drove from Portrush to Cork.....down through the middle of Ireland. Sigh, don't ask me how many times the kids in the back asked 'are we there yet, are we there yet, are we there yet?' (three children you see). It was hundreds of time.
Anyway, this all sprung to mind last month whilst in the back of a car going due south. How far apart are Lacada and Beer Hut? In the car, and on google maps, it was clear that Kilkeel is a mighty long way from Portrush. So, two breweries geographically quite a distance apart. However, on this particular brew day it was clear that the two breweries share much in common in striving to produce the greatest quality beers that we can, although don't bring up the word 'Whirlfloc'.
The aim of this collaboration was to produce something that, as far as we know, hasn't been done in N.Ireland - and that is a big double IPA, mightily hopped with the latest in hop development, namely 'cryo' hops or its equivalent 'bbc' hops. Both names are trademarks for a process which produces the optimum hop product in terms of aroma and taste.
On the day, there were five brewers in the mix. This meant, as a necessity, that a fry up had to taken on board before the arguing began (over 'whirlfloc'… don't bring it up). Being next to a working fishing harbour, the Beer Hut lads are blessed with a proper caff. Mugs of tea and plates of fry. Some eyes were bigger than bellies and after a bit that double fry was proving a feat for the one who ordered it, but he prevailed and finished up.
Brewing was very easy after such a breakfast and the brew 'hit its targets'. We left it in the capable hands of Beer Huts fermentation expertise. Indeed, a couple of weeks later the lads even canned the beer as well. So, a first for Lacada - a beer in a can. Distant cousins there is a limited supply, and we only have a few dozens. It's called 2 Player as a nod to the old games consoles of the 80s onwards.
First reports of this 8% DIPA are that it drinks very easy, is sticky sweet with loads of orange and peach. It's also a lovely golden clear colour.....don't mention the whirlfloc. (DOH!)
Launch Party
Northern Lights are hosting a launch of our 2 Player DIPA on tap Friday 26th April from 7:30pm. So if you're in Belfast, get on down and try it out while it's still around.