Utopian emulates West Coast pale ale using only British ingredients

Devonshire-based Utopian Brewing has launched its first West Coast style pale ale, made with 100% British ingredients.

The 4.4% ABV, named Wondrous Isles, has been positioned as a “modern pale ale” and follows the brewery having already released limited ranges in cask before now deciding ton extend availability into keg and can format.

Speaking to the drinks business, Utopian Brewing head brewer Jeremy Swainson said: “We brewed the first iteration of this beer in cask over two years ago with the goal of making a standout modern pale ale using hops from the Charles Faram breeding programme.”

Responding to queries over how challenging it was to create the beer using only British hops and malts, Swainson admitted that “due to the nature of cask ale, making a West Coast style pale – biscuity malt, complex hop aroma, firm bitterness, bright – was an obvious choice” because “hops like Godiva, Olicana, and especially Harlequin, are packed with dank pine and complex fruit notes, which suit the style perfectly”.

Pleased that he persevered: Swainson pointed out that a benefit of “using only British hops makes ‘Wondrous Isles’ genuinely unique” and told db: “It reduces our food miles, and supports our growers”.

Utopian Brewing founder Richard Archer added: “We have stuck rigidly to our core values of natural brewing, using traditional techniques and zero additives, with only 100% British grown ingredients.”

The launch of Wondrous isles has been timed with the start of the Euros which also coincides with Utopian Brewing announcing a series of promotions and social media competitions throughout the tournament in a bid to wish both teams from our ‘Wondrous Isles’ the very best of fortunes.

The beer was previously only released at music festivals but is also now available to all pubs, bars and restaurants in both 30 litre kegs and 440ml cans. The beers can also be bought via Utopian’s webshop.