New American Pale Ale from Northern Irish Yardsman
Yardsman, one of Northern Ireland’s most successful craft beer brands, has launched an American Pale Ale using a range of hops sourced from US suppliers.
The Belfast-based brewery has crafted the new ale (ABV4.7%) from Amarillo, Chinook, Cascade and Mosaic hops and is avallable in 500ml bottles.
The new dry hopped beer joins Yardsman’s existing four-strong portfolio of brews that are all handcrafted and filtered using a unique technique featuring traditional Irish linen cloth.
Yardsman is the popular brand created by Niall McMullan, who founded Hercules Brewing Company in February 2014 to revive craft beer production in the city, once one of biggest brewing centres in the British Isles. Hercules was the first craft beer company to open in Belfast in more than a century. Yardsman is a recognition of the city’s engineering and manufacturing traditions of shipbuilding, linen production and rope making.
Mr McMullan brought extensive experience with international companies in alcoholic and soft beverages to Hercules, an identity that has its roots in brewing history in Belfast. The original Hercules Brewery was located on Hercules Street in the centre of the city.
“The new American Pale Ale is a light, crisp and refreshing Pale Ale beer,” says Niall McMullan. While I’ve used American hops in other beers I wanted to create a distinctive product from hops sourced exclusively from the US for a lighter and citrus flavour.
“The new APA is the outcome of research over many months to create an original recipe that will appeal to craft brewing enthusiasts here. We have been keen to develop a wide range of beers and stout to reach various market segments.
“As is the case with all our products, the new American Pale Ale is produced without any additives, preservatives, stabilisers, or chemicals. Our focus is on the finest ingredients sourced from long established suppliers. We use a strain of yeast that we’ve developed. It’s also vegan friendly.
The company’s portfolio comprises Yardsman Lager, Yardsman IPA, Yardsman Belfast Pale Ale and Yardsman Original Double Stout. The small batch beers and stout are now widely available in Northern Ireland in bars, restaurants, hotels and through off-sales.
Distribution arrangements are also in place to export the beers to US, Ireland, Britain and other parts of Europe.
The small brewery, which employs seven people, is located at the heart of Belfast’s Harbour.
