Sharp’s creates ‘world’s first’ freeze-distilled ale

The continuing cold weather appears to have inspired the head brewer at Sharp’s Brewery in Cornwall as he has created the “world’s first” freeze-distilled ale.

Stuart Howe came up with the idea for Sharp’s Spring Ice Ale, a 4.2% abv ale, that is brewed with ice and which the brewery describes as a “fresh, crisp beer, perfect for the warmer weather that is just around the corner”.

Howe said: “By using a secret process, involving refinement through freeze distillation and blending, we’ve created a world first.

“Spring Ice Ale has a finish which is brisk and fresh, it’s certain to put a spring in the step of cask beer drinkers over the coming months.”

In the mid-1990s Carlsberg launched an ice lager, which involved ice crystals being removed from the beer during the brewing process, but Sharp’s claim this is the world’s first ale to be made in this way.

Sharp’s Brewery uses only British malted barley, whole hop flowers, its own yeast and Cornish water in its brewery and is now the largest brewer of cask beer in the south-west of England.

The Spring Ice Ale, which is deep red in colour, is the brewer’s first offering of its 2013 seasonal range and is available in the on-trade until 31 May.