Like a lot of head brewers, Alechemey’s co-founder James Davies built his brewery on a passion for homebrewing and a background in science.
But it was the chance to take voluntary redundancy from a pharmaceutical company that spurred the doctor of microbiology and brewers’ yeast specialist to team up with his dad Adam and set up the Livingston-based brewery in 2012.
In the past four years, Alechemy have gone from strength to strength, establishing a solid reputation for great beers and building up a loyal following at home while also increasing a fanbase abroad (they export to Germany, France and Italy, for example). This next year, Alechemy will expand ever further, with plans for five extra beer tanks which will increase output by 50% to some 28,000 litres a week at full capacity. Staffing, says James is expected to increase too, no doubt delighting the five current staff.
Many of Alechemy’s beers, from sweet stout Amaretti to be a Jedi to Saison D’Etre are playful, adventurous and a wee bit out there, reflected in their quirky, pun-heavy names; while their single-hopped Burst series enables beer geeks to literally taste the difference between the likes of Amarillo and Chinook hops.
Alechemy have also knotched up a couple of notable collaborations, with the likes of BrewDog and Beavertown; while with Bring out the Imp, one of their newest beers, they teamed up with Dundee-based illustrator Suzanne Scott (aka WhimSicAL LusH) for the quirky labelling.
Clearly a brewery that likes to try new things, Alechemy hold a regular “Freestyle Fridays” where the brewing team play on a smaller brewkit to try out new wacky flavours, releasing small-batch brews every couple of weeks. And it was on this kit that James honed his labour of love, Bring out the Imp, a 10.5% imperial stout that’s been a decade in the making.
Bring out the Imp is to be savoured rather than swallayed. Aged for three months in whisky casks, the reek of spirits is lighter than you might expect, and it’s complemented by vanilla, raisins and cherries. Breathe in long enough and you’ll start a dreaming of rum-soaked berries.
It pours a rich, viscous, slightly oily dark, dark brown; initially sweet and sticky, it eases into a finish that is gentle, complex and hugely rewarding. Flavours of banana and clove - from the Belgian yeast, one of two yeasts used in the brew - are also in the mix. A decadent, smooth beer, and superbly well rounded.
FIVE OTHER GREAT ALECHEMY BEERS
Black Aye PA 4.8%
A rich dark beer with a ripe fruity heart. Dark roasted and bitter flavours off the malt, with some chocolate and liquorice. Aromas and flavours of mandarin and grapefruit bring a bit of balance to this cracking complex beer.
Amarillo Burst (5.3%)
Part of a series of pale ales Alechemy bring out to showcase certain hops – look out for Citra, Mosaic and Galaxy too – Amarillo Burst has a big tropical and citrus notes – think pineapple and grapefruit. Superbly balanced with light toasted malts, touch of caramel and a medium body and bitter finish.
Talisman Lager (4.1%)
A decent, interesting and flavoursome lager with a surpriginsly hoppy finish. Bits of lemon and orange zest along with caramel malt. Pours golden with a clean and moderately dry finish.
Five Sisters red IPA (4.3%)
An amber beer with sweet caramel malts and a healthy helping of bittering. Notes of spices, herbs and a musky earthiness, lifted along by a resin and citrus fruit aroma and flavours hinting of orange zest.
Bad Day At The Office pale ale (4.5%)
A light golden ale with a heavy hop bitterness and flavour with a strong stone fruit; citrus aroma. Golden in colour. Peach and gooseberry, flowery, caramel medium body bitter finish
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