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New Malt, Hops in Newly Released Coopers 2018 Vintage Ale

Single origin malt from barley grown on Kangaroo Island and a hop variety sourced from France are key features of the newly released Coopers Brewery’s 2018 Vintage Ale.

Single origin malt from barley grown on Kangaroo Island and a hop variety sourced from France are key features of the newly released Coopers Brewery’s 2018 Vintage Ale.

This year’s Vintage Ale also has a different look with new packaging and a revamped roundel label which brings it into line with Coopers’ other ales while still retaining the distinctive image of Thomas Cooper.

The release of Vintage Ale is a much anticipated annual event in the Australian liquor trade and wider brewing community and is being celebrated at simultaneous launches in Adelaide, Sydney and Melbourne on July 31.

This year’s Vintage Ale, the 18th in the series, has been produced using malt sourced from Westminster barley grown by Kangaroo Island farmers and malted by Coopers in its new malting plant. This has been blended with dark crystal malt, to provide a light, sweet malt character and a copper hue.

It is the first time Coopers has used a single origin malt in the production of a seasonal beer and opens the door for the development of other special provenance beers in the future.

Coopers Managing Director and Chief Brewer, Dr Tim Cooper, said the hop variety Aramis from the Alsace region of France was chosen as the feature hop in this year’s Vintage Ale because of its aroma and moderate levels of bitterness.

Like all Coopers ales, the 2018 Vintage Ale undergoes secondary fermentation and natural conditioning.

Coopers 2018 Vintage Ale retains an alcohol level of 7.5% ABV and has a bitterness of 55 IBU.

Dr Cooper said the brewing of Vintage Ale provides Coopers’ brewers with the opportunity to hone their expertise in the development of premium quality, limited edition beers.

Coopers National Sales and Marketing Director, Mr Cam Pearce, said only a limited quantity of kegs and cartons were available and Vintage Ale lovers should act quickly to ensure supply.

“Seasonal releases of beer and spirits have become popular in recent years with the craft movement,” Mr Pearce said.

“Coopers has been bringing an annual seasonal release to market for the past 20 years and we are proud to continue this with a greater focus on the seasonal aspect and the origins of the ingredients.”

Coopers 2018 Vintage Ale is priced from around $90 per carton, or around $30 per six pack of 355 ml bottles. It is expected to be available at good liquor outlets from 1 August.

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