Craft Beer’s Playful Revolution
Ever had a cheeseburger IPA or a jam doughnut sour? We sat down with Laura Green from The Butcher's Dog: a venue we’re delighted to be partnering with for our Spring Social, to explore the creative spirit behind this booming industry.
Hello Laura! What’s good! Brewing itself is very science-led, but there’s a huge element of experimentation, passion and creativity involved as well, right?
I think this industry is so creative because of the people that fill it. Independent breweries are often started by home brewers bristling with passion; they push the boundaries of brewing in their recipes, package their beers in cans designed by local creatives and sell them to indie craft beer shops and bars like ours who carry forward that passion and enthusiasm. We’re all supported by folk who understand and appreciate this left-field, experimental, damn-delicious approach to making beer. This adventurous, playful approach to brewing and marketing has brought an entirely new audience to an industry that used to be all about boring brown beer, men and dingy pubs.
Although craft beer is a serious industry, I love that there’s so much playfulness that comes through in naming, flavours and packaging design, it shows that people are having fun with it!
Absolutely, that’s one of the things I love about being part of the world of craft beer. These breweries have taken this ancient tradition of beer-making and, without compromising on quality, they have stretched its capabilities to the nth degree in every aspect, from the raw ingredients and recipes used in beer making (I’ve tried a cheeseburger IPA) to the branding and can design you see in our fridges. We have a beer on sale at the moment called ‘I could get better [beer] at Tesco for a quid’. This industry has a sense of humour.
I get such a buzz when a new customer tries, say, a jam roly-poly pudding sour beer, or an espresso martini cinder toffee stout, and I see the look of surprise and the smile sprout on their face. I feel like Wonka in the chocolate factory, showcasing all these mad brews, many of which just shouldn’t work (tzatziki beer, anyone?) but they do, because the brewers are so talented!
What makes a ‘playful’ beer? Are there any styles you’d recommend people to try?
Craft beer by definition is, in my mind, playful. Craft brewers play with ingredients, chemical processes and techniques to create unique and often coveted beers. Just recently, we’ve stocked a ‘giant blueberry bubblegum bottles’ flavoured sour ale, a maple bacon pancake porter and hazy pale ale called ‘Greek Nathan’s footlong yoghurt hotdogs’. That’s pretty mischievous!
Beer is, of course, about personal taste but I would say if you’re looking for the game-changing, Willy Wonka stuff made in the UK, look for Vault City, Neon Raptor and Yonder. It really is amazing how far these guys push the boundaries.
What’s the one beer or beer bar ‘myth’ you’d like to bust for our readers?
That beer is for men and only men know about beer. It’s just not true, I don’t need to explain why but I can get on my soapbox anytime you like...
Spring is in the air! What’s coming up at The Butcher’s Dog?
Spring! We’ve always got something up our sleeve at The Dog. In Ashley Cross, we’ve just started offering pizzas seven days a week (woop) with our friends Flamin’ Grate and we’ve got some great bands like Cash Converted and Devil’s Damned String Band playing. Bring on the warmer evenings and Schofferhofer grapefruit beer in the beer garden!
Website → butchersdogdorset.com
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