Beer #215 - W/C 8 April 2019
BREWERY // The Vocation team put their heart and soul into every beer that is released from their brewery on a hilltop in Hebden Bridge, Yorkshire. After years of working in IT, founder John Hickling wanted to 'create something more than spreadsheets' and landed upon his true vocation in brewing. They have a focus on hop-forward American influenced beers. Recently they've been steadily releasing a stream of collaborations with other breweries. The location in the 'greatest town in Europe' set among the dramatic moors was an obvious option for John who had previously lived nearby. Next time you're in Hebden Bridge or Leeds, be sure to stop into one of their bars.
BEER // Heart & Soul is a great example of a very tricky style - the Session IPA. The brewers among you will know the difficulties of creating a hoppy, full bodied IPA at a lower abv. Historically English brewers have mastered the art of brewing full flavoured beers at sessionable strengths and Vocation have done an excellent job here. This beer is well balanced with a bready, slightly sweet malt profile and plenty of aroma and flavour from the hops alongside medium bitterness. US West Coast hops give it a fruit salad character with notes of grapefruit, pineapple, mango and passionfruit.
BREWERY // Vocation
BEER // Heart & Soul
STYLE // Session IPA
ORIGIN // Yorkshire
ABV // 4.4%
TEMPERATURE // Cool. 30 minutes out of the fridge.
FOOD MATCH // Salty Kumara Chips with Beer Mayo. Roast Beef. Buffalo Fried Cauliflower. Bread & Butter Pudding
GLASS // Tulip. IPA Glass