Coopers launched its limited edition 2015 Extra Strong Vintage Ale at three special events in Adelaide, Sydney and Melbourne this week.
The 15th release in the celebrated series, the 2015 Vintage Ale is a slight departure from previous years with a jump in IBUs from 40 to 60 creating more bitterness and the use of Melba hops providing stone fruit flavours.
“Five hop varieties have been carefully combined to become the feature of this year’s Vintage Ale,” said Coopers’ managing director and chief brewer Dr Tim Cooper.
“Melba hop is the driving variety. Developed by the master hop breeder of Ellerslie Hop Estate in Victoria, Melba provides stone fruit and citrus undertones.
“Ella and Vic Secret bring out passionfruit, peach and spicy aromas, while Styrian Goldings and Cascade provide additional balance and depth of flavour while enhancing the spicy, floral and fruity undertones.”
The easy-drinking ale packs a punch with an alcohol content of 7.5% ABV, retaining Vintage Ale’s title as the strongest beer brewed by Coopers.
At the Sydney event Coopers’ technical manager lab and beer systems Simon Fahey guided guests through a comparative tasting between the 2010 and 2015 Vintage Ales.
“The 2010 has toffee-like aromas and some spiciness from the hops we added five years ago. You’ll see the bitterness has subdued over time, we had a bitterness level of 40 IBU for the 2010. The ruby colour is from the crystal malt added and you may notice some sherry notes as well,” he said.
Fahey explained that the team upped the IBUs from 40 to 60 this year to help protect against some of the aging qualities and assist in the longevity of the brew.
“Every month or so try the Vintage and see how it develops because it will change over time,” he said.
Glenn Cooper emceed the Sydney event providing the warm hospitality the Coopers family is famous for, as well as some light entertainment.
“My great, great grandfather Thomas Cooper who’s on the front of the bottle had two wives and 19 children, so that’ll tell you how good the beer is,” said Glenn Cooper at the Sydney event.
“Also I’m very glad to hear 60 is the new 40.”
The 2015 Vintage Ale is priced from around $85 per carton, or around $28 per six-pack of 355 ml bottles.
Check out a behind the scenes look at how the 2015 Coopers Extra Strong Vintage Ale was crafted below.
Our friends at Coopers have been kind enough to give away a case of the new 2015 Coopers Extra Strong Vintage Ale! To be in the running to win, simply go to the Beer & Brewer Facebook page and tell us what your favourite vintage of Coopers Vintage Ale is and why.
Ts & Cs
Entry Details
To be in the running to win one case of 2015 Coopers Extra Strong Vintage Ale, go to the Beer & Brewer Facebook page and tell us what your favourite vintage of Coopers Vintage Ale is and why.
Prize – Terms and Conditions
– Valid for one case of 2015 Coopers Extra Strong Vintage Ale
– The competition will run 9-15 July, 2015
– Prize value = approximately $85
– Entrants must be over 18 years old
– The winner will be notified on Facebook by 15 July, 2015. After notification the winner will be contacted by a member of the Beer & Brewer team to organise the prize.
– The competition can be entered on-line via Facebook
– The winner will be decided by Beer & Brewer and their decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.