Blog | Gletcher Brewery

Brut Grapefruit: brutelle, a light drink with a sparkling character

The beer style Brut Ale is a relatively new and innovative addition to the craft brewing scene, gaining popularity in recent years for its unique flavor profile. It combines the lightness and dryness of sparkling wine with the refreshing character of a traditional ale. Let’s take a closer look at the history, characteristics, and brewing process of this fascinating beer style.

History of Brut Ale

Brut Ale originated in California around 2017, with its roots in the craft beer movement's drive to push boundaries and experiment. The name "Brut" is borrowed from the terminology of sparkling wine, indicating an exceptionally dry product. Inspired by the crispness of Champagne, brewers sought to replicate its delicate, effervescent qualities in beer form. The result was a hybrid style that appeals to beer enthusiasts and wine lovers alike.

Key Features of Brut Ale

  1. Dryness: The hallmark of Brut Ale is its bone-dry finish, achieved through the use of enzymes (such as amyloglucosidase) during fermentation. These enzymes break down complex sugars into simpler ones, allowing yeast to ferment them completely.
  2. Effervescence: Brut Ale is typically highly carbonated, mimicking the bubbly texture of sparkling wine.
  3. Flavor Profile: While light and crisp, Brut Ales often feature subtle fruit, floral, or citrus notes, depending on the hops and adjuncts used.
  4. Clarity and Appearance: The beer is usually pale in color with a clear, Champagne-like appearance, though variations may exist.

Brewing Process

  1. Mashing: The process begins with a simple malt bill, often featuring pale malts to keep the beer light in color and body.
  2. Enzyme Addition: During fermentation, brewers add amyloglucosidase, an enzyme that ensures all sugars are fully fermented, creating the dry profile.
  3. Hopping: Hops are used sparingly to avoid overwhelming bitterness. Instead, brewers often emphasize aroma and flavor by using late hop additions or dry hopping with varieties like Citra, Nelson Sauvin, or Mosaic.
  4. Fermentation: Yeast strains that complement the dry and crisp nature of the beer are chosen, such as Champagne yeast or neutral ale yeast.
  5. Carbonation: Brut Ale is carbonated to high levels, adding a sparkling quality reminiscent of Champagne.

Why Choose Brut Ale?

Brut Ale is perfect for those seeking a beer that’s light, crisp, and refreshingly different. It pairs well with a variety of foods, including seafood, light salads, and desserts, making it versatile for any occasion. Its effervescent and dry profile also makes it an excellent alternative to sparkling wine for celebrations.
Whether you're a fan of beer, wine, or both, Brut Ale offers a unique fusion of the two worlds, redefining what a beer can be.

BRUT GRAPEFRUIT: our unique offer, grapefruit brut ale

We couldn’t resist exploring this delightful style ourselves, so we created our own interpretation of Brut Ale. Our bright, light, and sparkling ale with a fresh grapefruit aroma is the perfect festive summer drink, truly deserving to be called "beer champagne." It is brewed on a wheat ale base, using three classic malts, and is fermented with special yeast strains typically used for Brut Ale varieties. The yeast strains, reminiscent of those used in Brut Champagne, lend the beer its characteristic lightness, allowing the malt character to shine through. To enhance the flavor, we add freshly squeezed red grapefruit juice during the maturation stage, giving our ale its distinctive aroma.

To create a rich hoppy aroma, we use Bobek hops, which contribute subtle floral and herbal notes. During the aging process, the addition of freshly squeezed red grapefruit juice enhances the beer’s refreshing character and unique fragrance. Our beer has a dry flavor profile, with the effervescence typical of Champagne, and a balanced taste with a light grapefruit bitterness that transitions into a Brut-like tartness on the finish.
You can always buy this and other varieties from Gletcher Brewery in our branded stores.:
— Gletcher store: Moscow region, Klin, Tereshkova str., 1 p.4I (set route)
— SVAM Group store: Moscow, Novomeshchersky passage, 9/1 (set route)

In addition, you can find the nearest store of one of the largest retail chains on our sales map. Check the availability of the varieties you are interested in.

Try it out and share your impressions on our Telegram @gletcherbrewery!
2024-09-03 16:37 RELEASES