Phat’s origin story involves backyard parties, many "What if?"s, and a sneaky homebrew drop that segued into an amateur comp Cinderella moment whose energy seems unrelenting. With knowing slippers on, these are people that understand the thrill of grassroots brewing, so why not offer a similar opportunity to others?
Each year, the Phat Homebrew Comp unearths a delicious hero, and this year Ryan, Brendan and Gareth from Ockonomal Brewing collected top spot with Cherry Poppins, a fruited sour imbued with a dab of lactose. Their prize? A scaled-up, or should we say Phat, version ready for a broader audience.
At sub-5 percent ABV, this slurpable sour has social aims. Squishy cherries, Starburst cherries and a tease of cherry lollies plump the theme. The impact of both sour and tart are light and complementary, as is the subtle creamy roundness, each of these elements maximising drinkability, their restraint sharing the gentility of certain London nanny.
Guy Southern
Published December 6, 2024 2024-12-06 00:00:00
