Granite is our barley wine. We brew it once a year only. Every year the recipe is a little different, but based on the same basic specification: All the sugar is derived from whole grain from our mash tuns and the ABV should be just over 10%.
Hardknott Granite
So far there are two quite different vintages:
2009 – this is very rare by now as we only produced 504 bottles. A beer that is now developing into a nice little treat, despite it’s young over-the-top exuberance when first brewed. The 30 hours or so of boil time produced a beer that was slightly burnt, with an almost ashtray flavour. Careful storage allows these flavours to subside.
2010 – new equipment enabled a shorter boil of only 8 hours. Far more like a standard barley wine, but we suspect will not develop as well.
2011 – will be extra special, get excited about it now.
