Bring out the Imp
Like a lot of head brewers, Alechemey’s James Davies built his brewery on a passion for homebrewing and a background in science.
But it was the chance to take voluntary redundancy that spurred the doctor of microbiology to team up with his dad Adam and set up the Livingstone brewery in 2012.
In the past four years, Alechemy have worked hard to establish a solid reputation for great beers, building up a loyal following at home and also increasing a fanbase abroad (they export to Germany, France and Italy).
This next year, Alechemy will expand even further: five new fermentation tanks will increase output by 50 per cent to some 28,000 litres a week at full capacity.
Many of Alechemy’s beers, from stout Amaretti to be a Jedi to Saison D’Etre, are playful, adventurous and a wee bit out there, reflected in their quirky, pun-heavy names; while their singlehopped Burst series enables beer geeks to taste the difference between hops such as Amarillo and Chinook.
Alechemy have also logged a couple of notable collaborations with the likes of BrewDog and Beavertown. With Bring out the Imp, one of their newest beers, they teamed up with Dundee-based illustrator Suzanne Scott (aka WhimSicAL LusH) for the quirky labelling.
Clearly a brewery that likes to try new things, Alechemy hold regular “Freestyle Fridays” where the brewing team play on a smaller brew kit to try out new wacky flavours, releasing these small-batch brews every couple of weeks. It was on this kit that James honed his labour of love, Bring out the Imp, a 10.5 per cent imperial stout that’s been a decade in the making.
Bring out the Imp is to be savoured rather than swallayed. Aged for three months in whisky casks, the reek of spirits is lighter than you might expect; the aroma also laced with vanilla, raisins and rum-soaked cherries and berries.
It pours a rich, viscous, slightly oily, dark brown; initially sweet and sticky, it eases into a finish that is gentle, complex and hugely rewarding. Flavours of banana and clove – from the Belgian yeast, one of two yeasts used – are also evident. A decadent, smooth beer, and superbly well rounded.
FIVE OTHER GREAT ALECHEMY BEERS
Black Aye PA (4.8 per cent) A rich, dark beer with a ripe, fruity heart. Dark-roasted and bitter flavours off the malt, with some chocolate and liquorice. Aromas and flavours of mandarin and grapefruit bring a bit of balance to this cracking beer.
Amarillo Burst (5.3 per cent)
Part of a series of pale ales Alechemy bring out to showcase individual hops, Amarillo Burst has big tropical and citrus notes – think pineapple and grapefruit. Superbly balanced with light, toasted malts, a touch of caramel and a medium body and bitter finish.
Talisman lager (4.1 per cent)
A flavour-filled lager with a surprisingly hoppy finish. Zest of lemon and orange along with caramel malt. Pours golden with a clean and moderately dry finish.
Five Sisters red IPA (4.3 per cent)
An amber beer with sweet caramel malts and a healthy helping of bittering. Notes of herbs and earthy spices, lifted along by resin aromas and citrus fruit flavours.
Bad Day At The Office pale ale (4.5 per cent)
A light, golden ale with pungent citrus aromas, a heavy hop bitterness and flavours of stone fruit and caramel malts, with a medium-body bitter finish.