Deya - Saturated in Nelson
For number 8 in my countdown I've chosen "Sat in Nelly" by Deya Brewing.
Just the nickname, which I hear is gathering speed amongst Gloucestershire locals, brings me inexplicable joy!
This 8% DIPA is the delectable by-product of the Cheltenham Crocs "working directly" with Clayton Hops from New Zealand to serve up a master class in Nelson Sauvin. I say "working directly" not in a dubious way but actually, would love to know more on the hop supplier's input in the brewing process. Indeed, we have seen a growing number of brewers this year directly referencing suppliers on the labels (Track and Cloudwater amongst others) and perhaps this increased level of collaboration beyond the the supply stage will continue into 2021.
Drawing your attention back to the liquified solero beaming at us from in front of a rogue cabbage. If you are going to give a series of beers the moniker "Saturated", they really have to be stuffed to eruption point with the namesake hop. Thankfully Deya have never been one for short-changing their customers - this beer was thick but incredibly soft and smooth with just the right level of chew (medium-rare IMO) and carried all of those wonderful vinous Nelly flavours of crisp white grape, sticky honeydew melon and a touch of tart citrus.
Interestingly, I wouldn't say this had the most overt Nelson Sauvin taste profile as single-hop DIPAs go and I did pick-up surprising background notes of nectarine and grapefruit, almost hinting that another hop such as Amarillo had been added to the whirlpool. However this, if anything, highlights the versatility of the hop and the brewer's deft hand in creating such a wonderfully balanced beer. I would certainly recommend this for someone who is on the fence about Nelson Sauvin or has had a bad experience but is ready to give it a second shot!!
As a parting note about Deya's saturated series, I would severely struggle to name a better single-hop series for the year. For the most-part, they got the mouthfeel, nosefeel and hoppage to a tee and the bar has definitely been set for how an expansive single-hop series should look. Now let's see who fancies themselves for the title next year.
Number 7 chasing on Nelly's heels next week.
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