TRYANUARY UNLEASHED!

What seems like the longest month is almost over. Some have tried Dry January but as we’ve covered in our articles this month, we’re all about Tryanuary, the national campaign to encourage people to support their local pubs, breweries and bottle shops and there’s been plenty of events throughout Wales.

One Brewery thoroughly embracing Tryanuary is Bridgend’s Dog’s Window Brewery. Fresh off a ticketed tasting evening at Cardiff’s Pop’N’Hops Bottle Shop we caught up with Owner and Brewer Lee Ralph to crack open a couple of beers and discuss what Tryanuary means to the small brewer.

As you pull into the unassuming cul-de-sac in Bridgend you’ll be forgiven for not spotting the brewery, that’s because Dog’s Window is located in Lee’s garage, the Jack Russell that adorns the bottles greets all passer-bys and does actually sit in the window. Although in a garage every square foot is put to use, with an impressive kit to make even the most hardened home brewer envious. The shelves stock the wide range of bottled beers and you can even call in for a look around and to purchase direct via prior appointment. Although relatively new Lee has already establish a loyal following due to his variety of interesting and experimental beers and he proudly confirms he’s one of the highest rated Welsh Breweries on popular beer rating app Untappd. You’ll find a doggy theme going on,with beers called Lie Down, Sit, Drop It and their highly popular Christmas Beer Santa Paws, a Black Forest Gateaux Stout.

Before getting onto the beers we discussed every landlord and brewer’s worst nightmare, Dry January. “Dry January is always a downer for the brewing industry, this is why Tryanuary is such a good campaign for us. It allows us to do something special for people don’t want to go dry.”

Regular readers will know that we made a few predictions for 2020, one of them being the rise of No and Low alcohol beers, does Lee think this will mean he will have to follow trend?

“Personally we have created a range of brand new beers to entice the non-abstainers, two of which are around 3% so you can have a Dry(er) January.”

This seems very much the case, with a number of Dog’s Windows beers being sessionable in strength but still packing in plenty of flavour. Obviously after the rush of Christmas things do quieten down and Lee certainly looks on the bright side of things, “Trying to look on the positive side, at least the quieter time allows us to catch up on brewery work after such a busy Christmas.”

So let’s get onto the beers that Dog’s Window have released for Tryanuary, starting in strength order-

RASPBERRY WHEAT BEER 3% abv
One of our favourite styles, Wheat beers are naturally cloudy with banana notes. Made with Cascade hops to compliment the use of the wheat malt it produces a spicy citrus note that pairs perfectly with a generous splash raspberry. The aroma is very strong and inviting with the addition of raspberry adding to fruitiness. It’s hard to believe that so much flavour is packed into a beer of 3%!

VIENNA SESSION IPA 3.3% abv

IPA’s seem to be everywhere at the moment, so this make a nice variation. Using a Vienna Malt base and hopped with Amarillo, Cascade, Summit and Citra hops. Creating a highly drinkable low ABV session IPA, pale and punchy, perfect for the weekend’s rugby!

BLACK RICE ALE 5.5% abv

Brown ale with a difference. An uncommon style which seems to have gone out of favour but is having a bit of a resurgence of late. This is a well balanced beer, dark amber and lightly hopped with a nice malt profile. They’ve added black rice to this traditional style of beer to add an extra “nutty” dimension to the flavour profile.

OFF THE LEASH 8.5% abv

Finally going onto the show piece of the Tryanuary beers and one which is right up our street. I wish I was like this beer – Strong, dark and rich! Here’s an ultra special Tryanuary limited edition beer.

This Belgian dark is weighing in at 8.5% and packaged in a 750ml bottle. Packed full of treacle and toffee flavours and a mouthfeel that is silky smooth. There will only be 120 of these decadent delights so get them before they’re all gone!

The beers are available through a number of stockists like Wales Ales and Pop N Hops as well as direct from the brewery.