Running with Spectres [ 2022 release ]
As the nights begin to draw in and we start to feel a slight chill in the air it can only mean one thing – it is time for the return of our Running with Spectres Baltic Porter (6.8%)! Although not officially in the core range, this is a regular seasonal addition to our line up and each year’s batch is typically available from November until we run out!
But what is a Baltic Porter?
Baltic Porter originates from the Baltic region in the 19th Century and was inspired by British exported imperial stouts, or ‘stout-porters’. British porter was first developed from the recipes of traditional brown ales being brewed in London during the 18th century and became popular amongst the city’s working class, where it is thought to have received its name.
With the success of the porter came the development of the stout-porter which was creamier, stronger in ABV, and had a fuller, more ‘stout-like’ body which was robust enough for British export. Stout-Porters were shipped to North and South America, the East Indies as well as to regions around the Baltic Sea, including Poland, Russia, Sweden and Denmark. Soon the brewers in the Baltics were recreating their own version of their stout-porter, using continental malts and hops. Due to the climate brewers widely used a combination of lager yeast and cold conditioning, defining the Baltic Porter as a lager, however there are some early examples of ale yeast being fermented at cooler temperatures.
We believe that lager yeast makes brilliant dark beers as it’s clean fermentation character really allows the specialty malts shine. Our Running with Spectres has a blend of speciality malts including roasted, Belgian biscuit and chocolate, giving our Baltic Porter rich layers of mocha and toasted biscuit. The additions of Magnum, Chinook and Columbus hops lend their herbal and spicy flavour whilst Savinjski Goldings gives this beer a continental tone, before ending on a crisp and clean finish.
“A smooth, rich and hoppy black lager”
Our Running with Spectres is a play on words of our Running with Sceptres India Pale Lager, inspired by another beer style historically brewed for export. We also added a twist to the artwork by featuring the parade of animals as skeletons, a nod to this deliciously dark beer. If you look close enough you’ll also notice that our hippo logo has also had the ‘spectres treatment’!
For a time Baltic Porter dropped out of fashion but was made popular again by the craft beer movement and many breweries in Poland still championing the style, they even hold an annual celebration day on the third Saturday in January each year! And it’s the love for this style that is shared with our Co-Founders, Alex and Annie. “When we first started the brewery Annie and I really wanted to include a dark lager within the our range,” says Alex. “Sure, we could have chosen a Dunkel or a black lager like Schwarzbier, but we just love Baltic Porter!”
Our fresh batch of Running with Spectres is available now from the webstore or our taproom as well as a pub, bar or bottle shop near you, but don’t wait as it won’t be around for long!
