This spring, Suffolk-based Adnam is collaborating with US craft beer legend, Sierra Nevada, to create Eastern Edge, a brand-new transatlantic pale ale. The launch from the two prominent breweries marks Adnams’ 150th anniversary and celebrates the role of the global beer community in Adnams’ long brewing history.
A harmonious collaboration from two like-minded breweries with a pioneering outlook and mutual respect for the environment that surrounds them; Eastern Edge is named to reflect the influential vistas that dominate each brewery’s hometown, with Adnams looking across the sea from the English east coast and Sierra Nevada towards the Sierra Nevada mountains to the east.
With Adnams renowned for its cask beers and Sierra Nevada regarded as one of the founders of American craft brewing, the collaboration was born from each brewery’s heritage, and inspired by two key beers, Sierra Nevada Pale Ale and Adnams’ cask Southwold Bitter.
For a truly transatlantic partnership, Sierra Nevada’s yeast made the journey to Suffolk, to be used to brew Eastern Edge along with Adnams’ house yeast. UK and US varieties of Cascade and Chinook hops were selected for their delicate floral and resinous aromas and tropical flavours of grapefruit, lychee, and pineapple, whilst the Rye, Pale Ale and Cara malts provide a spicy biscuit balance.
Provenance of ingredients is integral to both breweries and Adnams champions locally grown grain in all its beers, with its rye being sourced only a few miles down the road, grown by Adnams Chairman, Jonathan Adnams, at his farm in Reydon.
Discussing Eastern Edge’s development, Dan Gooderham, Adnams Head Brewer, explained: “Adnams house yeast, which has been used since the 1920s, and Sierra Nevada’s ‘Chico’ yeast, have given the breweries their distinct flavours for many years, so we thought that it would be interesting to have the yeasts work in tandem, for a true collaboration.
“American hops are such an essential component for Sierra Nevada’s Pale Ale, so we decided to source some UK grown hops of the same variety to add even more depth of flavour to Eastern Edge. The provenance of hops has a huge influence on their characteristics and the flavour and aroma expressed, much like wine and the ‘terroir’. All this combined is what gives Eastern Edge its unique taste.”
Commenting on the story behind the collaboration, Fergus Fitzgerald, Adnams Production Director added: “I think we see lots of similarities between our two breweries.
“Sierra, like us, values independence. It is not easy to achieve and even harder to maintain for as long as we have. Like us, it’s very aware of its sense of place. Sierra has a connection to its environment and the desire to balance its protection with progress. Sustainability has been a key focus for the Sierra team – that similar outlook is always something we look for when partnering up, and we’re delighted we could make this happen to celebrate our 150th year.”
Steve Grossman, Brewery Ambassador at Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. said: “Finding like-minded brewers, sharing stories and collaborating on a new beer recipe over a pint or two – it’s truly one of the most unique and amazing things about the craft beer industry. Being invited by Adnams to collaborate on a brew to help commemorate its 150th anniversary was sincerely a great honor. Hopefully the good folks of Adnams will celebrate with Sierra Nevada when our brewery marks its 150th anniversary!”.
At 4.8% ABV, Eastern Edge has a depth of flavour that is also light and refreshing, perfect for summer and barbecue season.
