Earlier this year we shared a short blog about 2018 being a big year for collaborations for us and how much we appreciate the chance to hang out with and learn from other brewers – in the time since, we’ve brewed with our pals DEYA twice, been down the road to Huddersfield to knock up and awesome hoppy porter with Magic Rock, hosted Duration, Little Earth Project and Lambrate for collabs in Argyll and, most excitingly, we’ve also taken part in our first international collab project!

North Sea Bridges is an annual collaboration project building on the ancient trading links between Scotland and Scandinavia. Six of Scotland’s finest brewers (Black Isle, Fallen, Fierce, Fyne, Pilot & Six Degrees North) paired with six of Scandinavia’s best (Amundsen, Beerbliotek, Dry & Bitter, Dugges, Rocket & To Øl).

One of the beautiful things about NSB is that there’s was no brief for the brews – no rules, no target ABVs, no gimmicks – just the chance to bring the guys from Rocket to our quiet corner of Scotland to brew something fun.

We had a great day brewing with the Rocket lads – their laid-back demeanours hiding an incredible enthusiasm and passion for beer during the time we spent together. Having just moved their brewery across Scandinavian borders, the guys were pretty busy and planning the brew over email was a little challenging, but we finally nailed down a concept and brewed a beer we’re all really happy with – Cowberry Heart.

Our contribution to the project is a sour red rye IPA packed full of lingonberries (also know as cowberries). It’s a fusion of full-bodied malts and spicy rye with a puckeringly tart finish thanks to the lingonberries – they’re sharp and acidic and really give a zing to the beer. It’s a modest 5.3% – the lowest in the NSB collection – and ideal for Summer smashing.

As for the other beers? They’re also suitably awesome – check out the amazing line-up below:

• – Fierce / TO OL – Blood of Nidhoggr (7%) – Black Sour
• – Six Degrees North / Amundsen – Amundsix (6.7%) – Dry-hopped Sour
• – Black Isle / Dry & Bitter – Flame Out (8%) – DIPA
• – Pilot / Dugges – Tropisk (7.4%) – DryPA
• – Fallen / Beerbliotek – Tap Saff  (8.5%) – Saffron & Spruce DIPA

Being part of the North Sea Bridges project has been an amazing experience – I think we’re all really proud of what we’ve collectively put together and achieved with our friends from around Scotland and further North. This is a real showcase of Scottish and Scandi brewing talent and we can’t wait to get the beers into your hands.

And when will that be? Your first chance to try the full range of beers will be at a one of the national launch party venues on Thursday 23 August as all six beers hit the taps at the following venues:

Scotland

• – Aberdeen – Fierce Bar – Also on the bar – To ØL
• – Aberdeen – 6 Degrees North – Also on the bar – Amundsen
• – Edinburgh – 6 Degrees North – Also on the bar – Amundsen
• – Edinburgh – Salt Horse Beer Shop & Bar – Also on the bar – Pilot and Dugges
• – Glasgow –  6 Degrees North – Also on the bar – Rocket/Fyne Ales
• – Glasgow – Koelschip Yard – Also on the bar – Fallen & Beerbliotek
• – Inverness – Black Isle Bar – Also on the bar – Dry & Bitter

England & Wales

• – Bristol – Small Bar
• – Cardiff – Tiny Rebel Bar
• – Leeds – North Bar
• – Liverpool – Dead Crafty Beer Company
• – London – The Rake
• – London – Five Miles
• – Manchester – Cafe Beermoth
• – Newcastle – The Free Trade Inn
• – Nottingham – Junkyard Bottleshop & Pourhouse

All six North Sea Bridges beers will also be available in bottle and can six-packs at some of the venues on launch night, and then from every good beer store from Thursday 23 August onwards – be sure to check with your local bottle shop to make sure they’re getting some in as they probably won’t hang around long.

Update @ 21/08/2018: Preorder your North Sea Bridges pack now! Click here to preorder.

So, cheers to Scotland, to Scandanavia, to new friends, new beers and the spirit of collaboration across borders. Cheers to North Sea Bridges!