Ale consumers are a savvy bunch.

I believe they know more about their drink and how it’s made than the consumers of any other kind of beverage, with perhaps the exception of wine.

BlackjackFor a beer drinker with an interest in more than lager, there is knowledge about the different styles, and the different breweries that make their favourite brew. It’s more than just brand loyalty. It’s more that someone could feel more affinity with a small craft brewery than they could with a multi-national corporation. If you like a beer from a particular brewery, then it’s inevitable that you’re going to seek out and try the other beers that they make.

That school of thinking is why the monthly Eebria Brewery Club makes so much sense. It’s a nice take on the straightforward beer subscription service. Instead, highlight one brewery, and get them to send out a dozen of their ales for you to get to know. You get to know a different brewery every month (or less frequent subscriptions are available).

Blackjack Brewery

This month features Manchester’s Blackjack Brewery. Formed in 2012 when experienced brewer Rob Hamilton saw an opportunity to set up a 4.5BBL brewhouse, and took it!

Blackjack

For £30, you get the 12 bottles to your door. They come direct & fresh from the brewery, who choose exactly what goes into the box. So, what did Blackjack send through?

Blackjack

Blackjack

Blackjack have a good variety of IPAs, as you’d expect. Packing a punch and big flavours, they were very satisfying! I particularly likes Mega Streak – a Double IPA with New Zealand hops. Delicious!

The Mega Streak IPA was launched exclusively via Eebria. If you subscribed, then you’d be amongst the first people in the world to try this amazing brew!

Blackjack

Don’t make the mistake of thinking that because a beer is pale, it’s light in flavour. Both Mosaic Light and Devil’s Bedpost have a heavy dose of hoppiness which I appreciated.

Blackjack

I had the Red Rye Saison in a back garden in the sun. It was a perfect match. I’m beginning to love peppery tastes in my beer, and these were well balanced recipes.

Blackjack

So, I’ve gone from knowing nothing about Blackjack, to tasting a dozen of their beers, learning more about what tickles my tastebuds and even meeting a few new favourites.

Next month, it will be Windswept Brewing, and the following month, another brewery for you to discover. It’s a great idea. Beer drinkers are always on the lookout for their next favourite pint. This is a brilliant way to do just that.

Giveaway

The wonderful folk at Eebria are offering one lucky randomly picked winner a box of beers for next month’s featured brewery, Windswept Brewing. To be in with a chance of winning, simply enter using the widget below before 20 September 2017 at midnight. Good luck, and come back every day for more chances of winning!

Eebria Brewery Club competition

TERMS AND CONDITIONS
1. CLOSING DATE IS 20 SEPTEMBER 2017 AT MIDNIGHT.
2. THE PRIZE IS 12 BOTTLES OF BEER FROM THE EEBRIA BREWERY CLUB.
3.ENTRANTS MUST BE 18 OR OVER AND RESIDE ON THE UK MAINLAND.
4. NO CASH ALTERNATIVE.
5. THE WINNER WILL BE PICKED FROM ALL VALID ENTRIES AT RANDOM.
6. DON’T USE MULTIPLE EMAIL ADDRESS TO ENTER THE COMPETITION. ENTRIES SUSPECTED OF CHEATING WILL BE INVALIDATED.
7. THE WINNER WILL BE CONTACTED WITHIN 7 DAYS OF THE DRAW DATE. THEY WILL BE NOTIFIED AND WILL HAVE 7 DAYS TO RESPOND. IN THE EVENT THAT NO RESPONSE IS RECEIVED, A FURTHER WINNER WILL BE DRAWN AND SO ON.