Sharp’s releases new beer for Cask Ale Week

The brew is a revamped version of one of Sharp’s first brews, Coaster, but with a mango twist. 

The Cornwall brewer came up with the beer through a fun in-house competition between the brewing teams helped to drive a new take on the classic Coaster recipe, resulting in a 4.1% ABV pale ale that combines the latest brewing trends with a more traditional recipe in one glass.

Coaster Alphonso represents the collaboration of six minds from one of the Sharp’s Brewery teams: Stuart Blow, Mark Young, Warren Jackson, Imogen Tointon, Martin Shiers and Paddy Carter, who collectively make up Team Coaster (Sharp’s have four brewing teams, each named after historic or existing Sharp’s beers).

Dry hopping technique

The resulting brew is said to be an aromatic, low-bitterness golden pale ale with a mango twist that aims to have a widespread appeal. Sharp’s Coaster has been updated with new flavours from tweaks such as dry hopping with Azacca hops, and the ‘Alphonso’ moniker comes from the alphonso mango, a sweet and distinctly zesty-tasting fruit.

Tointon said: “Being so involved in the process of creating a brew from start to finish has been amazing. Coaster Alphonso was a really challenging undertaking for all of us on the team but we are all so happy with how it’s turned out.

“We have had a lot of creative freedom to do whatever kind of brew really interests us and we are excited to share it with the world for Cask Ale Week. I designed the pump clip myself and I’m really proud to be involved in something so unique.”

Much-welcomed innovation

Sharp’s head brewer Aaron McClure said: “It is really impressive to see the amount of work that Team Coaster put into designing, planning for and eventually making this brew.

“The beer is a much-welcomed innovation, building on the fundamental Sharp’s brewing process with new flavours and techniques. This brew is a celebration of cask ale, and the creativity of the people behind it.

To celebrate the launch of Coastal Alphonso, and the start of Cask Ale Week, Sharp’s is inviting beer lovers to Meet the Brewers at The Front in Falmouth on 22 September from 5pm. The first 30 attendees who order a pint of Coastal Alphonso after 5pm will receive a complimentary pint of the special celebratory brew and some of the brewers behind the beer will be on hand to answer questions about all aspects of the art and science of brewing cask ale.

Coastal Alphonso will be available for a limited time at selected outlets during Cask Ale Week.