Sharps DW

Good looks and good taste – and all in a good cause – that’s DW from Cornwall’s distinctive Sharp’s Brewery. DW has been  created by Sharp’s founder Stuart Howe as a tribute to legendary brewer Dave Kelham, diagnosed with a terminal illness.

Dave opened mould-breaking Kelham Island Brewery in the early 1990s, but originally hails from Cornwall. Home county links remain strong, with Dave's son, Ed, doing a stint chez Sharps in the summer. 

With the guys coming in at the weekend to produce DW, all the ingredients and time taken to create this deep golden ale have been given for free. The hope is to raise £10,000 for Cornwall Hospice Care.

The hop selection chosen by Dave – Willamette, Amarillo and Cascade – reflects the US varieties he has helped make popular in the last 20 years in the UK. There’s banana bread and hints of cinnamon and vanilla on the nose, with a sweet, rounded palate with bananas and cooked ripe pineapple and hoppy notes, and an exceptionally clean finish.

And Dave’s reaction to the prototype? “Just fantastic. Very similar, but better than Deus.” High praise indeed.

 A limited run of 1000 champagne-style bottles have been produced.

9.5%, 75cl, £10 from brewery, £15.50 inc P&P online; also available from selected specialist beer retailers.

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