North East Beer Review

Brew York x To ØI Hop Collider is a brew I had on my radar to try after seeing it at the Handley Tap. I was on a night out after seeing Jamie Hutchinson live in Newcastle and saw this can in the Newcastle Tap, opposite central station, and thought I would give it a go. Hop Collider is a West Coast IPA and I must admit is something I am getting quite fond of at the moment. So what did I think of this Brew York 10th birthday collaboration brew? To find out I will cover the history of the breweries and beer, the pour, the taste and aroma and finally my verdict. Cheers

A celebration of 10 years

Brew York was founded in 2016 in York by Wayne Smith and Lee Grabham. The duo originally had met on a stag do and realised they shared a hobby for modern craft beer styles. Brew York began life within a shed before expanding to what it is today. Operating a city centre brewery and taproom, later expanding to Oswaldwick with the Handley Tap.

The brewery is known for its playful nature such as branding and styles. The use of puns influenced by pop culture, film and Yorkshire history often drives people to their brews. These can include the likes of Juice Forsyth, Dame Judi Quench and the topic of this review… Rhubarbra Streisand. This helped forge Brew York’s reputation by building up its identity and name factor within the UK craft beer scene.

To Øi is a Danish craft brewery founded in 2010 by Tore Gynther and Tobias Emil Jensen. They began as a ‘gypsy brewery’ producing beer at different partners breweries however this mainly took place at De Proefbrouwerij in Belgium. Before finally establishing a fully operational brewery in 2020, as well as establishing a number of brewpubs too. The brewery spans 26000 square metres and contains a 80 hectalitre brewhouse and has become a hub for other craft beer producers.

Hop Collider is a 7.2% West Coast IPA which is brewed using Cascade, Centennial, Columbus and Simcoe hops. This was brewed to celebrate Brew Yorks’ 10th Birthday in which they aimed to bring together international brewers. They aimed to pair them with a “cultural figure whose work helped reshape creativity, craft and culture. So Hop Collider is based around the famous physicist Niels Bohr. Bohr was instrumental in the understanding of the atom and the world that surrounds it, as well as challenging scientific norms and helped lay the foundation for modern day physics.

A clean and classy pour

Brew York x To ØI Hop Collider pours an amber colour which is clear in clarity which is typical of a well crafted west coast IPA. A foamy off-white head forms which is retained throughout the drinking experience. Although this beer appears to be lively, this was in fact moderate in carbonation and went down incredibly smooth. Overall, a clean, inviting and definitely fresh looking pour.

A hop forward taste and aroma

Aroma

Immediately on the nose, you can tell the hop forward nature of this brew, notes of citrus and pine dominate delivering the classic west coast style. The notes of grapefruit, lemon and dank resinous flavours are backed up by notes a light tropical fruit such as a pineapple or mango. Under this, a reserved malt bill allows the hops to shine which also not compromising on balance. Overall, the aroma of this brew is bright and punchy with the hop forward nature leading the way.

Taste

On the palate, the hoppy nature is assertive with immediate bursts of citrus and resinous flavours. Think perhaps grapefruit, lemon and pine. Subtle tropical flavours peer through along with a clean caramel biscuit malt backbone which provides balance whilst also allowing the hop bitterness to shine. Although, Hop Collider was bitter it also felt controlled. Overall, the finish is clean and dry with a pithy bitterness lasting, enticing you for more. This is overall a deeply flavourful pour with provides balance without sacrificing character. I really enjoyed this one.

Time for my verdict

I will begin my verdict by saying that I really enjoyed this brew and I look forward to hopefully try more the 10th birthday beers. I feel this was a well crafted and honesty very easy drinking IPA despite its high ABV. Being the first time I have tried something from To ØI, this is a pleasant introduction to the brewery and I look forward to trying my can of To ØI #IPA I currently have at home. Brew York is a brewery that needs no explanation, their brews are quality. Overall, I rate this a 4.5 out of 5. Cheers

Where did I purchase this beer?

I bought this can and consumed it at the Newcastle Tap opposite Central Train station in Newcastle Upon Tyne. It is part of the Pivovar group which brings you Pivni and the Market Cat in York. Friendly and decent pub, please check it out.

Thanks for reading my review. If you enjoyed my review you will love my review of Brew York Time Travelling Taxi.