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Slideshow
Siren’s fifth Rainbow Project to protect ‘craft beer’s spirit of fun’
Craft brewery Siren has unveiled its 2017 Rainbow Project, a collaborative project that “maintains and protects craft beer’s spirit of adventure, invention and fun” in what it says is becoming an increasingly “homogenised” sector.
This year saw seven UK and seven US brewers create seven beers inspired by the colours of the rainbow. The collaborative beers were unveiled at the Leeds International Beer Festival, the Hawkshead Beer Hall in Cumbria and The Beavertown Extravaganza in London.
The beers will also be available this weekend at the Bristol Craft Beer Festival and at the Independent Manchester Beer Convention from 29 September to 1 October. In addition, Siren have put together 2,000 mixed cases containing all seven beers which it is selling via its online partner, HonestBrew. The bottles will also be sent to bottle shops across the UK.
Each year, the Rainbow Project pairs seven UK craft breweries with seven brewers from a chosen country or region; this year it is the US. The project itself was started in 2013 by Ryan Witter-Merithew, former head brewer at Siren.
Speaking to the drinks business, marketing manager Andy Nowlan explained how it worked: “The Rainbow Project allows UK drinkers the opportunity to enjoy beer from breweries that they would otherwise struggle to access. It also introduces drinkers to new styles, new ingredients and new directions – it gives them a chance to be part of something absolutely unique”.
When asked what he believed was the project’s biggest achievement, Nowlan said: “The Rainbow Project introduces the UK to some of the best breweries in the world while creating a series of superb long-term global brewing relationships. In a sector that, in some ways, is becoming homogenised, The Rainbow Project also maintains and protects craft beer’s spirit of adventure, invention and, to be honest, fun”.
In a change this year, two colours were drawn for each pairing, the second of which will inspire a barrel-aged beer to be released in time for the launch of next year’s project.
Nowlan explained: “It’s just an extra dimension to the Rainbow Project really. It’s made the brewing partners think about the beers as a combination – for example our beer this year will also be part of the blend for next year. Our ‘blue’ Santo Del Frio is cold fermented. We’ll be blending that with a hot fermented version, to make violet”.
He added: “Usually the Rainbow Project launches with parties at some of the breweries involved. This year we’re taking it on tour for the first time, to make it easier for as many people as possible to try the creations at some of the best beer festivals the UK has to offer”.
Siren was founded in 2012, the name inspired by the Sirens (Σειρῆνες) depicted in Greek mythology who enticed sailors to the shore, and ultimately to shipwreck on the rocks, with their beguiling music and voices. The brewery is currently based in Finchampstead in Berkshire and lists among its flagship brews Liquid Mistress, a 5.8% west coast red IPA, and Broken Dream, a 6% breakfast stout “with a gentle touch of smoke, coffee and chocolate”. The brewer also produces a range of seasonal IPAs, barrel-aged beers and special releases as well as the Maiden Series (barley wine that has been aged in various different barrels) and the Odyssey Series, comprising a range of beers that have been blended.
Click through to view each of the beers, the brewers, the ingredients and the overall inspiration.
Red – Magic Rock (Huddersfield, West Yorkshire) and Casita Cervecería (Vermont)
Inspired by the colour red, this pairing has produced ‘Amanecer Mexicano’, a 5.8% lime, hibiscus and chilli Gose which marries “the savoury, sweet, chocolate, and umami flavours in Mexican mole sauces that come from a wide variety of dried chilli peppers, tamarind, and cinnamon”.
What the brewers said: “We drew Red and Casita this year and bandied about a whole bunch of ideas. Eventually we realised we were circling around Mexican flavours that we all loved, so Ryan, Rich, and I looked into the flavour profiles from some traditional Mexican drinks and dishes that A) we like, B) played well together, and C) wouldn’t completely terrify the British palate! In the end we decided that the rich, savoury, sweet, chocolate, and umami flavours in mole sauces that come from a wide variety of dried chiles, tamarind, and cinnamon would provide the subtle base of the beer, and be accentuated by bright tart flavours of hibiscus and lime– just like you might find in a traditional tiendecita. A subtle complexity of flavours in the meal followed up by refreshing tastes from the aguas de tamarindo, Jamaica, limón, and horchata”.
Barrel-aged brew colour: Indigo.
Orange – Partizan (London) and New Belgium (Colorado)
Inspired by orange, these brewers have created ‘West Fork’, a 5% Saison which uses spruce tips and experimental ‘Hop 522’. The spruce tips, from Pagosa Springs, the site of destructive wild fires four years ago, represent “Phoenix-like regrowth”.
What the brewers said: “We have orange and green – This year is orange so we thought about the idea of the destruction of nature and the rebirth of it such as a phoenix or fire destruction leading to regrowth. The area where the spruce tips were sourced is called Pagosa Springs, Colorado. It’s in the San Juan Valley. Super gorgeous area. About four years ago, this area experienced terrible wild fires that were referred to as the West Fork Complex. About 109,000 acres burned. So this area is experiencing a ton of rebirth and growth after that fire. The new trees aren’t mature enough yet to produce the quality of tips we used , but there’s a rejuvenating story to be told there that all stems from fire”.
Barrel-aged brew colour: Green.
Yellow – Beavertown (London) and Jester King (Texas)
Inspired by yellow, this pairing has produced ‘Rex Apiary’, a 4.7% Bière De Miel with honey, rosemary and Texan dried lemons.
What the brewers said: “Our colour this year was yellow so we thought about seasonal ingredients which were yellow in both of our areas, and decided on using honey and beeswax from local honey producers, and some texas dried lemons, with some rosemary to compliment the flavours. Jester King also shipped in some of their house culture which we used to ferment the beer. So the beer is combination of whats local, and native to both of us. Aged for a few months in ex-Sauvignon Blanc barrels from France”.
Barrel-aged brew colour: Blue.
Green – Hawkshead (Staveley, Cumbria) and Modern Times (California)
Inspired by green, these brewers have produced ‘Mojito’, a 6% kettle-soured tart IPA, dry-hopped with aromatic Cascade and Motueka hops then aged post-fermentation on fresh mint, lime zest and oak rum cubes.
What the brewers said: “Four years in the green! Inspired by the colour green, Mojito is a refreshingly tart, kettle-soured IPA. Dry hopped with aromatic new world hops – Cascade and Motueka, then further aged post fermentation on fresh mint, lime zest and oak rum cubes from Appleton rum estate. Aromas of lemon and lime, enhancing the flavours of mint and fresh lime zest blended with very subtle oak rum notes, this tart IPA will have you rushing for the nearest beach lounger or hammock. Sit back and enjoy our take on the classic cocktail, Mojito.
Barrel-aged brew colour: Yellow
Blue – Siren (Finchampstead, Berkshire) and Sante Adairius (California)
Inspired by blue, this pairing has produced ‘Santo del Frio’, a 5.2% dry-hopped American Lager cold fermented with cryogenically frozen hops. They have put blue corn tortillas in the mash and blue agave syrup in the boil and the beer is aged in Tequila barrels beforehand for an extra flourish.
What the brewers said: “We drew the colour blue for this year’s Rainbow Project, and set to work on the challenge, keeping our barrel aged beer in mind for 2018. We decided to go an entirely different route this time out and brew a lager with our new friends at Sante Adairius. It’s fermented cold and the theme follows through; we added heaps of cryogenically frozen hops! We’ve used an American lager yeast sourced close to Sante Adairius’ home in California. We’ve also taken some Mexican influence, with blue corn tortillas in the mash and blue agave syrup in the boil – which we aged in Tequila barrels beforehand for an extra flourish. We hope you enjoy Santo del Frio – Saint of the Cold!”
Barrel-aged brew colour: Violet
Indigo – Wild Beer Co (Shepton Mallet, Somerset) and Side Project (Missouri)
Inspired by indigo, these brewers have produced ‘Indigo’, a 5% sour wheat beer infused with foraged Cornish seaweed, elderberries and blackberries from local hedgerows.
What the brewers said: “Our Rainbow Project beer is a Transatlantic sour wheat beer, with Somerset foraged fruits. The base water has been infused with foraged seaweed from the Cornish coast to give an umami saline character. We have used our house wild yeast cultures and at the peak of fermentation added foraged elderberries and blackberries from local hedgerows”.
Barrel-aged brew colour: Red
Violet – Burning Sky (Firle, East Sussex) and Floyds (Indiana)
Inspired by violet, this pairing has produced ‘Burial Vault’, an 8.4% white stout aged in a mix of Burgundy and Bourbon barrels for a deep oak and subtle violet flavour.
What the brewers said: “Bashing ideas out with 3 Floyds, we found solace in this White Stout. A huge grain bill was rounded off with some lactose in the kettle for softness. Aged in a mix of Burgundy and Bourbon barrels for a deep oak and subtle violet flavour”.
Barrel-aged brew colour: Orange