The weather is hot, hot, hot! We're in the middle of a heatwave and a can or bottle of refreshing lager is oh so appealing! … but what if you want a beer and lager just isn't your thing? Is there a thirst-quenching alternative? Well yes, there are many and one superb option is Keltek Brewery's Engine House, a copper ale from Cornwall.
Keltek is a multi award-winning, family-owned brewery based in Redruth. Having begun life in 1997, more as a hobby than a business, the company expanded, moving home twice and now owns six pubs in the local area too. They also offer contract brewing and packaging services.
Throughout Keltek's history, it has always blended tradition with a modern and environmentally friendly outlook. Beers are brewed, using British malts and the finest whole hop flowers, rather than easier-to-manage pellet hops. This method preserves more of the hops' essential oils, resulting in fresher and potentially more complex flavour profiles.
The brewery is totally reliant on solar energy, minimises water usage and all packaging is recycled and plastic free with biodegradable labels. Cleaning chemicals are also environmentally friendly and any ingredient wastage is used as animal feed at local farms. Additionally, the company donates over £100,000 of beer annually to local events and charities, such as the RNLI and Talk Club, a UK male mental health foundation.
🍺 Engine House is an award-winning copper ale at 4% ABV. The name comes from the iconic, 19th century Cornish invention that housed steam engines which pumped water and lifted ore from the mines below. The building also forms part of the brewery's logo.
👀 The beer shows an amber red haze in the glass, topped with a slightly off-white head.
👃 The nose is immediately fruity with notes of blackcurrant cordial and citrus plus a hint of grassiness.
😋 On the palate, refreshing notes of blackcurrant, orange and grapefruit are accompanied by a subtle butterscotch creaminess with a gentle, malty, bittersweet edge and a hint of hay.
The modest alcohol level is below that of many lagers, making this beer even more drinkable and thirst-quenching. The only problem is that you'll probably want more than one!
💳 Keltek Engine House beers costs £29.95 from the brewery's webshop for a case of 12 x 500ml bottles. You can also find the beer in a number of stockists around Devon and Cornwall.
Keltek has a superb range of many beer styles and you'll be sure to find one that you like. Engine House is a superb example of a refreshing copper ale that easily shows how it's not just lagers that are refreshing and easy to drink on a hot day. Cheers!
