Try All The Beers - Jaipur by Thornbridge

In this blog series I’m trying all the beers!  I choose a beer from one of those books recommending the beers you should try. Check out this introduction post to read the rules of the game.  I’m starting off the series with Jaipur from Thornbridge.  It will become clear why this is a great beer to start with as you read on, but also, it was the one beer that I found in ALL of the books.  To be fair, some of the ones I chose have a disadvantage because they weren’t British, so won’t be in Modern British Beer, but still!

Beer: Jaipur

Brewery: Thornbridge Brewery

Bakewell, Derbyshire

Style: American IPA

ABV: 5.9%

Introducing Thornbridge Brewery

Thornbridge Brewery's history is a fascinating journey that reflects the growth and evolution of the craft beer movement in the United Kingdom. The brewery was founded in 2005 in the heart of the Peak District, specifically in a village called Thornbridge near Bakewell, Derbyshire.  Thornbridge was the brainchild of Jim Harrison and Simon Webster, who shared a passion for great beer and a vision for creating something special. After seeking advice from David Wickett of Kelham Island Brewery in Sheffield; where David told Jim he should definitely start a brewery in the hope they could brew more beer for Kelham Island;  the brewery began its journey in an 18th-century stables on the Thornbridge Hall estate, a picturesque setting surrounded by the natural beauty of the Peak District National Park. 

Thornbridge’s taproom in Bakewell, Derbyshire

From the very beginning, Thornbridge Brewery focused on producing exceptional, high-quality craft beers. They embraced a philosophy of innovation and experimentation, and their approach to brewing was characterised by a commitment to pushing the boundaries of traditional beer styles. As Thornbridge's reputation grew, so did its production capacity and portfolio. They expanded their range of beers to include a wide variety of styles, from traditional ales to bold, innovative brews. This diversity of offerings allowed them to cater to a broad spectrum of beer enthusiasts. Thornbridge Brewery has a rich history of collaborating with other breweries and industry experts to create unique and exciting beers. These collaborations have often led to the development of limited-edition, one-of-a-kind brews that have gained recognition in the craft beer world.  Most recently, they collaborated with Timothy Taylors on a pale ale called Artesian - Timothy Taylor’s first ever collaboration beer!  They have also brewed with Czech brewery, Budvar, their first official collaboration outside of their home country - real innovation!

The Invention and Development of Jaipur

Jaipur is one of Thornbridge Brewery's most iconic and beloved creations. Its brewing and development showcase the brewery's commitment to innovation, quality, and pushing the boundaries of traditional beer styles.  Jaipur's journey began with a simple idea: to create a pale ale that stood out from the crowd. The brewers at Thornbridge set out to craft a beer that was bold, flavorful, and unique. They meticulously designed the recipe, carefully selecting the ingredients that would give Jaipur its distinctive character.

Hops are at the heart and soul of Jaipur.  In 2005, when Jaipur was first being developed, the beer scene in the UK was still relatively new to bold American hops.  On a solid British backbone of Maris Otter malt, a bevvy of hops were added.  Specifically, Chinook, Centennial, Ahtanum, Simcoe, Columbus and Cascade.  All of those American C hops bring the distinct flavours of pine and citrus, balanced by the bisciuty British malt.  To further enhance the hop aroma and flavour, Jaipur undergoes a dry-hopping process. This involves adding hops during or after fermentation, allowing the beer to absorb more hoppy goodness without contributing additional bitterness. The result is a burst of citrus and fruit on the nose and palate.

Over the years, Thornbridge has continued to refine and perfect the Jaipur recipe. They've adjusted it to maintain its classic appeal while also embracing new techniques and ingredients that the evolving craft beer scene has to offer. 

It is often said that Jaipur was the beginning of the craft beer revolution in the UK.  Though this cannot be confirmed, its success has encouraged other breweries to explore and innovate within the pale ale style, contributing to the diversity and excitement of the craft beer landscape.

Tasting Notes for Jaipur

From a can, Jaipur pours a not quite clear gold with a foamy white head that laces down the glass.  Streaming carbonation bubbles tease the senses as they rush up the glass.  On the nose, the American hops dominate - resinous sharpness, a clean pine and pithy grapefruit peel. I found it moderately carbonated with an earthy bitterness.  Following from the aroma, the taste carries the C hops beautifully - resin, pine, grapefruit peel - balanced by a clean, dry finish.

Jaipur is a beautiful example of an American IPA, brewed in the UK.  It ticks all the boxes - fruity citrus balanced by a resinous and earthy bitterness, a touch of malt and a dry finish to make you keep sipping.

I first tried Jaipur back in 2016 in bottle.  My Untappd review was written prior to me learning about reviewing beer, so it was short and sweet!  

Jaipur is readily available in supermarkets and can be found on cask, which is a different experience again.

Should you try it?

Jaipur is a great example of an American IPA.  It is easily accessible and will help you understand what this style should be like.  It is very drinkable and showcases classic American hops.  If you are not a fan of hoppy or bitter beers, this one might not be for you, but I do encourage you to give it a go as part of your beer tasting journey, if only for educational purposes!

You can find out more about the beer in the reference books here:

1001 Beers To Try Before You Die: page 513

300 Beers To Try Before You Die: page 20

Modern British Beer: page 109

World’s Greatest Beers: page 39

Have you tried Jaipur before?  What did you think?  Or are you going to give it a go now?  Let me know in the comments!