THE 2015 BREWDOG PROTOTYPE SERIES

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We often get asked how we formulate ideas for new BrewDog beers. And to be honest, there are all kinds of influences – a style we haven’t brewed for a while, or are looking to try our collective hands at. The input from our brewers, on things they have been homebrewing. Our B-Sides and how they fare in our network of bars. But there is one guaranteed route to the BrewDog shelves.

Yes, our Prototype Series is back, and on sale in our online shop now.

Previous runnings of the year-ending fearsome foursome have produced such modern-day staples as Jack Hammer, Cocoa Psycho and Vagabond Pale Ale – plus two of our four most recent seasonals came from 2014’s series (and stand by for a blog post soon giving you the lowdown on all of our small-batch ranges for the next twelve months). So with the all important poll ready and waiting - which are the runners and riders this year?

SESSION INDIA PALE LAGER

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Malts: Pilsner

Hops: Chinook, Simcoe, Citra, Amarillo, Mosaic

ABV: 4.4%

IBUs: 20

OG: 1.040

First up, and as befits the Prototype Series – a new style for us. The Ellon hop cannon is deployed on a daily basis, particularly when we get our hands on five stunning varietals like the ones listed above. Usually we thunder these kinds of hops into pale ales, but adding a typical BrewDog level of dry-hop to a beer formed with a baseline of 100% pilsner malt – and at under 4.5%abv – gives you a style that flirts at the edges of several others. It also gives you the first of this year’s Prototypes, a dry-hopped Session India Pale Lager. So, think aromas of fresh cut grass, nettle, white grape, melon, tangerine - with similar flavours leading to a dry, bitter finish.

MILK STOUT

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Malts: Extra Pale, Brown, Crystal, Dark Crystal, Carafa, Black, Flaked Oats, Wheat

Hops: Magnum, Sorachi Ace

ABV: 4.8%

IBUs: 30

OG: 1.058

You may well have been lucky enough to sample this one already, as we have been trialling a new milk and oatmeal stout on Nitro in some of our bars. Added to the Prototype Series, we want to check whether we are on the right track, and this particular beer has the pedigree to make it into a more regular position within our lineup. The oatmeal yields an extra smoothness to the mouthfeel, with a subtle roastiness from the malt blending into chocolate, dark stone fruit and a touch of smoke on the far aftertaste. It’s the perfect beer for this time of year; but will it be the perfect beer for you?

BLACK IPA

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Malts: Extra Pale, Cara, Crystal, Carafa

Hops: Simcoe

ABV: 5.3%

IBUS: 40

OG: 1.052

Can something be black and pale at the same time? Well, yes. When the style typically results in pale malt (IPA) and it is subsequently switched up with dark malt that’s what you get. It may not be semantically correct, but in stylistic terms Black IPA’s are here to stay. And when you layer a massive amount of one of our favourite hops – Simcoe – on top, maybe the third entrant in the Prototype Challenge will also stay. But time will tell on that front. In the meantime, lose yourself in a balance of resinous pine, mango, apricot and a light roasty espresso bitterness.

HOPPED-UP BROWN ALE

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Malts: Extra Pale, Munich, Brown, Crystal, Carafa, Flaked Oats

Hops: Columbus, Simcoe, Centennial, Citra

ABV: 6.3%

IBUS: 85

OG: 1.063

Finally, a style we haven’t made that many of – a hop-forward brown ale. #MashTag 2013 was one that springs to mind, so with few others we decided it was high time to include one in our annual stylistic showdown. Brown ales are perfect foils for resinous C-Hops, as the piney elements of the latter contrast brilliantly with the sweeter, nutty elements of the malt bill. The best of both worlds, our hopped-up brown could be the beer you’ve been waiting for…

All four of these beers are live in our online shop now, and will launch in our UK Bars at 6pm on Friday 11th December. As with previous Prototype Challenges, it’s over to you to decide which will return as a regular brew. Scribble those tasting notes and let us know in the comments box or via social media what your early conclusions are.

With that in mind, stand by for extra assistance next week as we let our brewteam loose with their opinions in a special week of posts – formulate your early opinions and get ready for Prototype Week!

You can find out more about investing in BrewDog at www.brewdog.com/equityforpunks