A few weeks back a ran a post where I criticised the new wave of old school breweries “Crafty Moves” in either opening new small brew plants and calling themselves “Craft”, or just plain jumping on the bandwagon without even bothering.
This weekend I got to taste one of the fruits of Daniel Thwaites craft brewery, their 13 Guns American IPA, I enjoyed it immensely and messaged the brewery via Twitter to say so.
https://twitter.com/Filrd/status/231677533127581696
They very quickly responded as below, which I like. (there’s nothing more frustrating than a twitter presence with nobody behind it)
My thoughts on the branding still stand I have to say, despite the claims made above. I hope to be proven wrong but I very much doubt that these beers even if successful, will lose their “craft’ status and be absorbed into the core Thwaites range.
That aside and point very much laboured, I have to give credit where credit is due, this beer rocks!
I’m normally a flit around the bar sort of person loving exploring a good guest list, I get bored easily with a run of the mill selections though and am often found perusing the bottle list in my local. This beer kept me quite happy all on its own for two nights running. From the first sniff off tropical fruit as it was passed across the bar I knew this was going to be good, rammed full of aroma hops and it’s just so damn tasty. Extremely dangerous though at 5.5% as it’s incredibly drinkable.
Without a doubt the best beer from Thwaites that I have ever tasted, ever..
Hats off to the brewing team behind this, keep producing beer like this and you can call yourselves what you like for me, (I’ll just stop looking).
Thwaites Craft, I Thirteen Gun Salute you!
Cheers!
Beersay 
I agree it’s a very good beer. However, I’m afraid you may be, dare I say, jumping the gun a little with writing off the chances of these types of beers joining the regular portfolio.
Thwaites certainly didn’t have the facilities before to trial an experimental range, but now they have and are carefully monitoring customer feedback and sales. Some of these beers have done very well and it makes commercial sense for them to retain the most popular. I would expect to see one or more of these as future seasonal beers.
Oh, and if you thought 13 Guns was good, you should try some of the others. The current Half Nelson is stunning and for the first time I’m seeing people snub their regular haunts and actually seek out a Thwaites pub to drink it in.
Hi Tyson, first off I’m glad you agree about the beer it’s a stunner (I’ve seen loads of comments on Twitter about it today from GBBF too). I’m glad to say that I saw a few more coming our way at the local too, so will look forward to those.
On the portfolio front, what I mean is that I can’t see them changing the branding away from the “craft” thing even if it’s a roaring success and is accepted as a regular and brewed on the main commercial plant.
I am genuinely chuffed that they are doing what they are doing and it’s working, I for one will definitely be following with interest, my only beef was about the craft bandwagon approach hence the earlier post.
Cheers for the comment bud.
Hiya pal,
Aye 13 Guns is a fine quaff.I have to say though I did not used to be their biggest fan, as I am not a fan of a bitter aftertaste. However, they have been knocking out some fine seasonal beers in the last couple of years and their 13 Guns, Half Nelson and Fine Rain, have been three exceptional beers.
Unfortunately, like Timmy Taylors, their beer is expensive and a lot of good ,’free from the tie’ boozers will not stock Thwaites, for that reason.
That said, well done Thwaites on widening their choice, even though there is a premium to pay!
Hiya Briggsy
I suppose it’s a trade off between cost and taste when brewing the new range, I personally wouldn’t pay over the odds for Thwaites standard offerings, but would make an exception without hesitation over something like this, quality is worth a few bob on my book. Looking forward to trying the others you’ve mentioned.
Cheers for the comment
Yeah, an interesting viewpoint above. Personally, I love Thwaites’ monthly specials, from 3C’s – which I think is now regular – to the OBJ, which is lovely. I do, however, think that beers like this ‘are not’ Thwaites – which I guess is a compliment. What I DO like, is the one-off nature of breweries like Thwaites flexing their muscles and showing us what they can do without the restraints of production brewing. I love it, I really do. Black Sheep have been doing similar this year and last, brewing different styles and, for me, getting a little more credit whilst they are at it!
I agree Leigh, they are great and they aren’t truly Thwaites beers as such. It must be a breath of fresh air for the brewers of these big nationals to be able to have a play and do what they want to do rather than what the mass market dictates.
Not seen what Black Sheep have been up to, are they too going all Crafty?
Yeah, they’ve been doing many more seasonal’s – which you never used to see. They did the Russian Imperial Stout, a spring pale – which name I forget – and theyv’e done a summer ale too. Their porter for christmas (Wooly Jumper – groan) was lovely. All are really well-brewed and just prove that the brewers there are still creative. Makes a change, and that’s all we ask for!
Probably the biggest surprise (and joy) of my GBBF drinking…Thought it tasted like it could have been brewed by Magic Rock which is about as big a compliment as I can give a cask beer.
Spot who is catching up with Blogs today…
Thaites’ Ian Bearpark stood me one of these at the GBBF and it was possibly the best beer their Phil.
Pingback: It’s Crafty…Dan | Beersay
Just had this in a pre-launch bottling, and it’s every bit as glorious as it was at the GBBF last year. Took them a year to get it how they wanted it, but slowly and surely wins the race.
Cheers for the link, now where do I gets me a bottle?
Getting pre-launched previews has mixed blessings Phil. It gives you early news of future releases, but unfortunately no news of availability. Sorry mate.