ABYSS Brewing in Lewes has unveiled Sun Raw Orange Wine Pale, a new collaboration with their friends at Titch Hill Wines in the South Downs that blends the artistry of winemaking and brewing.

Their collaboration beer – SUN RAW Orange Wine Pale – is a distinctly fruity pale at 5% ABV, brewed with nearly a tonne of pressed Bacchus and Schönburger grape skins. The resulting beer offers subtle dry acidity and bold orange fruit flavours, creating a beautifully balanced wine-beer hybrid. 

Head winemaker Sam Bunker personally transported the freshly pressed grape skins to ABYSS immediately, and within 12 hours the team at ABYSS had started the brew for Sam to empty the skins by hand into the mash tun where they reintroduced the wort to steep and infuse the rich fruit esters.

During fermentation, the beer was very lightly hopped with Hallertau Blanc and Mandarina Bavaria to add hints of dry grass, tangerine and citrus. As the ale evolved, the big orange flavours usually associated with low-intervention wine gradually refined into a deliciously dry pale with good acidity. 

Andy Bridge, founder of ABYSS Brewing, shared the joy of this partnership: “It was super exciting to see Titch Hill pop up along the coast in the South Downs a few years back.

“We share a love of vibrant flavours, bold aesthetics, and good vibes. Alex has been a regular DJ in our taproom, and over time, we’ve built a connection through shared adventures—kayaking up the River Ouse, brewing casks for Titch Hill Market, and now crafting this unique wine-infused pale. Working with Alex and Sam has been a pleasure, and this beer reflects the depth of our collaboration.”

With so many “fruity IPAs” on the market, both founders were aiming for something a little different. By incorporating the tannins and subtle complexity of the grape skins, this collaboration promises a unique balance of depth and bitterness and a true one-of-a-kind brew.

Titch Hill co-founder Alex Tristram added: “Andy and I have known each other for a while, and ABYSS Brewery feels like it’s at the centre of something special right now.

“We’ve been inescapably drawn toward its gravitational pull—a magnetic and mystical coven. Collaborating with their team has been an exciting experience! Not only are they some of the loveliest people in the industry, but they also craft some of the finest beers around. We’re lucky to have them just down the road.”

“Spent grape skins hold a lot of potential for secondary uses – whether in distillation, piquettes, or otherwise. While composting or feeding them to livestock is always worthwhile, we love seeing them take on a new life in something as exciting as a delicious beer!”