December 3, 2014 · Team HG
The boys of The Horn have recently brewed their own craft beer (under the watchful eye of professional brewers)! In 2007, in collaboration with Mommeriete Brewery A recipe was devised for the Toeter Blond, and it was brewed there at the time. A second home-brewed specialty beer will be released soon. This one was created entirely by hand and is called the Ludina IPA.
A few weeks ago, the gentlemen of De Toeter put their heads together and decided to organize a beer brewing evening that would be partly social but certainly also educational. No sooner said than done; professional brewers were approached to assist them, and the evening took place on a Monday. After some joint consultation, the conclusion was reached that the new beer, unlike the Toeter Blond, should be a slightly heavier and darker specialty beer. It had a distinct character with a substantial addition of hops, making it lean towards, for example, an IPA Stout. Admittedly, entirely in the right proportions with other raw materials, resulting in a touch of bitterness predominating in the specialty beer yet remaining balanced in the finish.
Everyone agreed, the necessary artisanal equipment and raw materials were ready, and the division of tasks was settled... time to get to work! Despite the presence of a few tasting glasses and the necessary beers to somewhat soften the arduous labor, it became clear that hard work was required. A large pot of water was simmering on the fire, and the various types of grain were literally separated from the chaff—somewhat awkwardly, but eventually skillfully—before being added while stirring. Continuously stirring until the required temperatures were reached proved to be equivalent to a tough workout, even for the (self-proclaimed) roughnecks. Next, the mixture was filtered, and the remaining wort was set to receive a generous dose of hops. By now, the aroma was spreading nicely and promised great things in the ‘experienced’ eyes of the recently self-proclaimed artisans.
Some more bottles could be opened, for the motto was: “brewing beer is waiting.” Upon reaching the set time, the pot was removed from the heat and cooled using a piping system. Next, the task was to transfer the substance, which by then resembled beer quite well, into a carefully disinfected barrel. Finally, yeast could be added and the whole thing was sealed up. And so, everyone could sit back satisfied and proud, and the fermentation process had been set in motion. Hopefully, this will leave you wanting more in the future, and the expectation is that the Ludina IPA will be available for tasting during the upcoming Groningen Beer Festival 2015 on April 10 and 11!
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