An exciting import from Sweden, Crafted Warning’s Sofiero brewery has released a brand new range of treats.
Rating
Appeals To
Craft beer enthusiasts will enjoy checking this microbrewery off of the list, but the beers are very drinkable and I feel that they appeal to a universal crowd. People who specifically like ‘fruit beer’. Swedophiles (careful how you say that…)
Price
The full range is available in 330ml cans and priced at £1.79 per can.
Products
Brewed and overseen in the Swedish town of Sofiero, Wolf Warning and Elk Warning are packaged in strikingly designed 330ml cans and inspired by the animals that roam and eat the alcoholic fermented fruit in the Swedish forest.
The trendy, minimalist website showcases the range which consists of two ciders, two lagers and an IPA. The black background with cartoonish white font is suggestive of staying indoors with drinks and friends, against a backdrop of long, dark Swedish nights – and 1980s horror B-movies. It gives the brand a playful feel. This is furthered by the cartoon-suited wolf and elk on the product pages and the red and yellow wildlife warning triangle on each can which give the beers their name.
The Wolf Warning IPA is hoppy and fragrant – the brewery states that dry hops are added after fermentation to “enhance the aroma”- and this is evident. It is made from a mixture of European malt and hops, Pilsner, Munchner and Magnum, Aurora and Cascade, respectively. It is a very drinkable ale, with sweet notes and an undertone of citrus which lightens it nicely.
The Double-Brew Lager is a nice session beer with a smooth, complex flavour from its combination of light lager and top fermented ale, which are aged together in open vessels for eight weeks. This traditional method is thought to allow for a stronger yeast character in the beer. Like the IPA, the lager is made with Pilsner and Münchner malts with Magnum, Perle and Aurora hops, while Halltuer Mittelfruh is added during fermentation.
The Elk Warning Blackberry Cider is a medium berry colour and very fruity with a nice juicy bite to it from the local blackberries which are paired with the EU apples it is brewed with. Not too sweet, it is lightly dry, easy to drink and can be suitable in a variety of situations. We paired it with venison which enhanced the succulent meat.
The Verdict
These beers are very drinkable which means that those who aren’t fans of craft beer need not be put off from trying them. While I love trying different kinds of beer, I can concede that sometimes craft beer can alienate people with niche practices, flavours and ingredients during the brewing process.
Crafted Warning’s small, but focused product not only showcases some brilliant Scandinavian microbrewing but also offers choices across a spectrum of flavours so that lager drinkers, ale drinkers and even fruit fans have a choice. The ciders are surprisingly refreshing – not too sweet like some commercial options and the local twist is a great touch. Altogether a positive for these as meal pairings has never been so easy.
The Details
Elk Warning:
– Available in Co-Op, Tesco, Asda, Morrisons and Sainsbury’s
Wolf Warning:
– Swedish Lager available exclusively in Co-Op
– Currently available in Tesco
– India Pale Ale and Double Brew Lager is available in Morrisons