The beer revolution, which has changed the face not only of the Polish beer market in recent years, has many undeniable advantages. Raising the level of brewing, introducing new styles and flavors of beer, innovation in the field of beer production technology, a significant expansion of the beer range on store shelves. Unfortunately, in the pursuit of novelties, classic styles of beer have been neglected. One of such forgotten styles that cannot be found in the portfolio of most craft breweries are beers from the English brewing tradition. Bitter, Old Ale, Real Ale, Irish Red Ale, Scottish Ale and many other types of beer that are hard to find on store shelves outside the British Isles. In such situations, there is nothing else but to brew them yourself!

Can you find classic island styles from British breweries in Poland? It happens, but there are few of them. One of the most popular and at the same time the oldest English brewery is Shepherd Neame. It is located in the county of Kent, where also the classic variety of English hops, East Kent Goldings, comes from. The official date of establishing the brewery is 1698, it is brewing continuously to this day. It is known for the classic English Cask Ales, i.e. beers that are re-fermented in barrels and pressed from the barrel without the use of additional gas. The beers of this brewery are also widely available in bottles. In Poland, you can find Spitfire Kentish Ale, Bishops Finger Strong Ale, 1698 Strong Ale on shop shelves. It is worth trying the beers from this brewery, as they are worthy representatives of classic English styles. They are usually copper-colored beers, slightly carbonated, well-balanced between hoppy bitterness and malt flavors, often even with caramel and cookie notes of toasted English malts. The clear aromas of English hop varieties perfectly match the fruity notes, which are the result of properly conducted top fermentation. If you want to try brewing such a beer yourself, we encourage you to try our Amber Real Ale all grain kit.

 

The most famous and available beer is undoubtedly Guinness. A dry stout brewed in the Irish brewery of St. James's Gate Brewery from 1759. Dark, even black, dry beer with distinct flavors of chocolate malt and roasted barley. Initially, it is brewed in a stronger version as an upper fermented porter. Stout, popular today, is a style that evolved from porters. You can also find an interesting history of the evolution of this style on our blog. Dry Stout from our offer is a set thanks to which you will create your own Guinness counterpart.

Other classic UK styles to brew from our kits include:

E.S.B Extra Special Bitter - Beer usually of a copper color, with a distinct bitterness and aromas of English hops. There are also strong malt flavors in the caramel and cookie direction. Although it is a beer that strongly exposes the aroma of hops, the malt base must be kept varied. Flavored bouquet topped with fruity esters from top-fermenting yeast. Dry finish.

 

Irish Red Ale - Dark copper beer with a red shade. The taste is definitely malty with no hop aromas. Caramel, toasted aromas with notes of toffee. The characteristic dry finish is the result of a small amount of roasted barley, which brings a delicate bitterness and is responsible for the deep color of the beer.

 

Golden Ale - Light beer with a golden, straw color. It is an ordinary light, crisp beer with a delicate bitterness with clear hints of hops in the direction of floral and citrus, with clear fruity esters. The malt base preserved, but not dominant - cereal and biscuit flavors.

 

Scottish Ale - Beer with a dark amber color. Clearly malty, but not in the caramel direction. Notes of dark, toasted beans. Low bitterness with unfamiliar hop aromas. Low to moderate fruity esters, raisin flavor. Grain finish, dry resulting from a small amount of roasted malts.

 

English IPA - Beer with a golden, amber color. With clearly marked bitterness and hop aromas. Floral, earthy, resinous notes derived from classic English hop varieties. Perceptible maltiness, but not dominant. The classic English IPA has inspired numerous variations on this style.