Organic winter brew from Duchy Originals

January 26, 2005: Duchy Originals, the organic and natural food branch established by the Prince of Wales - also Duke of Cornwall - has launched an Organic Winter Ale as a partner for its existing Organic Ale.

The latter was launched in September 2003 and is now the fastest-growing organic beer brand in Britain, with distribution in Waitrose, Booths, Morrisons, Sainsbury's and a number of selected independent retailers.

The Winter Ale, however - which is 6.2% ABV as against the standard Organic Ale's 5%) will be exclusive to Waitrose. It has been brewed by the Wychwood Brewery, in Oxfordshire.

The beer incorporates a range of organic cereals, some of which have been grown on the Prince's Home Farm, at Highgrove. The recipe includes the same organic Plumage Archer barley malt as Duchy Originals Organic Ale, but with Home Farm's organic rye and oats added to give complexity and fullness of flavour.

The hop grist is a blend of the organic dwarf hop First Gold - sourced from the Hereford-Worcester border - and organic Target hops, grown in Kent. First Gold is known for its orange peel and dried apricot flavours and gives a wonderful dried fruit background to the beer. The combination of the ingredients gives the Winter Ale and dark ruby colour and warming toffee flavour, with hints of fruit and spice.

"I am very proud to have been asked to brew this seasonal ale for Duchy Originals," said Jeremy Moss, head brewer at Wychwood. "Experimenting with new recipes is an important part of a brewer's life and it has been a great experience to create in Duchy Originals Winter Ale and new-style old-style brew."