Thanks to Redmond's I was finally able to track down another "double dropped" beer; having heard a lot about it for a long time I wanted to try it. (Although I'm fairly certain I'd had a Brakspear beer before that advertised being made with the "double drop" ye olde double fermentions method...)
I really didn't hold out much hope for this one as I'm not a huge Marston's fan; Pedigree isn't my thing and Old Empire IPA REALLY dissapointed when I had it a couple of years ago.
Double Drop was really suprisingly good. The bottle I had might as well be the English equivalent of Budvar as far as I'm concerned. I am actually extremely suprised to say this considering how ridiculously different the ingredients and production methods of this beer are, but every sip literally kept bringing back strong memories of drinking Budvar...
Budwar = Monrovian Undermodified Lager Malt
Marton's Double Drop = 100% marris otter
Budwar = Lager yeast
Double Drop = Ale Yeast
Budwar = "lagered" sitting on the yeast for an extended period of time
Double Drop = VERY short initial primary fermentation for 24 hours then moved to secondary (traditionally via gravity to a secondary fermenter directly below the primary fermenter)
Budwar = complex many step triple decoction mash
Double Drop = Infusion Mash (has to be, right? It's English)
Budwar = Czech Saaz Hops
Double Drop = Blend of Fuggles and Goldings (unknown growing region; if it was East Kent, they'd probably advertise it)
How the heck can these two beers look, smell, and taste even REMOTELY alike?! Doesn't make a ton of sense and I'm really inviting a lot of mocking even suggesting it, but I can't help they taste so similar initially.
-I could see the much maltier Marris Otter ending up with a similar malt profile of a triple decoction undermodified larger malt, and industrial scale, temp controlled ale yeast doesn't contribute a lot of flavor, but the hops shouldn't taste anything alike...
On a related note, can anyone explain to me how Marston's got double drop? -Is this really the "relative" of the original Brakspear Double Drop? -I thought they got bought out by Wychwood a couple/few years back; not Marstons... Is this just Marston's capitalizing on the term or what's going on?
Adam
