With a renaissance of craft beer emerging during the mid ‘00s, Moor Beer Company (not to be confused with the equally great Moor’s Brewing Co. out of Chicago) is a wonderful synthesis of brewing techniques inspired by classic British ales, the robust flavors of modern California beer, and German simplicity. Moor Beer Co. was founded in 2007 when owner Justin Hawkes bought a defunct brewery in the Levels and Moors area of Somerset in South-Western Britain. Hawkes was raised in Los Angeles and gained an early appreciation for beer from his father, going with him on trips to specialty liquor stores searching for imported beers with a copy of Michael Jackon’s Beer Companion in tow. While stationed in Germany with the US Army Hawke fell in love with naturally hazy lagers. On returning to California in 1995 he took up homebrewing and made friends with brewers.
Moor Beer Co. focuses on unfiltered ales. Hawkes believes that “true secondary conditioning, unfiltered, unpasteurised, and preferably unfined is essential to produce a beer full of flavour, life, and longevity”, and his beers are some of the first in the world to undergo natural conditioning in can. He has a “less is more” approach to brewing, with an ethos that will sound familiar to those following minimal intervention wine. They have received numerous awards, including Brewery of the Year in 2017 from the British Guild of Beer Writers and most recently Overall Champion Gold in the cask awards for their English strong ale in the inaugural Indie Beer Awards.
Cheers!
Plumpjack Wine & Spirits
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Moor Beer Co Calvados Barrel Aged Old Ale |
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Bristol, UK |
Tasting Notes: Black with a rim of dark brown and only the lightest hint of carbonization. A nice roasted coffee note mixes with molasses, dark caramel, green apple, and fruity dark chocolate. Surprisingly soft and fresh on the palate. Flavors of dark toffee, coffee, and baking chocolate linger on the dark malty finish. |
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Justin Hawkes |
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$15.99 per bottle |
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Suggested Food Pairing: Dark rye bread, roast beef, sauteed mushrooms, smoked turkey |
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Moor Beer Co. Illumination English Pale Ale |
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Bristol, UK |
Tasting Notes: A light, hazy amber with very little foam. A very floral and herbal nose with notes of spearmint, young citrus, and a very light malty note. Biscuit like malt notes, light tropical notes, and grapefruit on the palate with a dry, bitter finish. |
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Justin Hawkes |
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$7.99 per bottle |
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Suggested Food Pairing: dan dan noodles, thai curry, red pozole, rajas, point reyes blue cheese |
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Moor Beer Co. Revival Pale Bitter Ale |
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Bristol, UK |
Tasting Notes: Hazy medium amber with thin foam. Dried herbs, white pepper, pine, chamomile, and dried citrus peel on the nose with a bready malt note. Dry finish, with flavors of dry pine needles, grapefruit pith, dried mint, and a touch of malty sweetness before the dry bitter finish. |
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Justin Hawkes |
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$7.99 per bottle |
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Suggested Food Pairing: banh mi, pan fried dumplings, fresh spring rolls, green pozole, pasta with pesto, aged hard cheese |
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Moor Beer Co. Resonance Citra Golden Pale Ale |
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Bristol, UK |
Tasting Notes: A hazy gold with light foam. Notes of tangerine, citrus tea, passion fruit, and bread flour malt on the nose; light and citrusy, with a dry, grapefruit pith bitter finish. |
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Justin Hawkes |
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$7.99 per bottle |
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Suggested Food Pairing: aguachile, pho, chicken satay, mango habanero chicken wings |
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