SIREN 11: Reflections

Birthday number eleven for us is all about reflections, mirror images and repeating good patterns that have allowed us to keep doing what we do all this time. The inspiration started with the number 11 itself, but going back to our Siren routes, the theme also unlocks some very fun stories in Ancient Greek mythology. In addition to our Anniversary Barley Wine, Maiden, we have three very special releases to share with you. Rest assured that no effort has been spared in making these beers look and taste the best they possibly can. Read on to find out more about each one.

Finally, a big thank you from us all for celebrating with us each year. We have so much fun with these anniversary releases that it’s genuinely become a challenge to one-up ourselves every time, but a challenge we truly love.

Now, onto the class of 2024…

Oats On Oats On Oats On Oats On Oats On Oats On Oats On Oats On Oats On Oats On Oats* - 8% Double IPA 

A new iteration of a beer we’re very, very fond of. This collaboration with the incredible Kings & Daughters is our infinity mirror packed full of oats, and oats, and oats. Even the mirrors are made of oats. For those new to us, Kings & Daughters is owned by our former head brewer Kyle Larsen and his partner Kacie, who were here with us in the UK for over two years. The beer, predictably, is built around the creamy, silky body and mouthfeel that a heavy proportion of oats will give us. Less predictable is the amazing hop aroma and flavour that carries through. 

The inherent sweetness in the beer helps a big Citra dankness pop, with ripe tropical fruits and mango especially present. But the story doesn’t end there. New Zealand Riwaka and Nelson Sauvin also have a big part to play, with a unique mix of juicy grape, guava and lemon and lime mid-notes that cut through everything in fine style. If you like NEIPA, we really hope you’ll enjoy this, but there should also be something in it for any fans of hops looking for a superbly satisfying DIPA.

*Sorry about the name, it seemed like a good idea at the time

Oats On Oats On Oats On Oats On Oats On Oats On Oats On Oats On Oats On Oats On Oats* - 8% Double IPA 

Times Eleven - 5.2% Helles Style Lager

Mirroring last year, we couldn’t resist another excuse to give maximum maturation time to a beautiful Helles. Times Ten was a one hundred day lager which reached cult status amongst our brew team. Never before had a beer in tank needed quite so much quality tasting, apparently.

Times Eleven is a similar concept, but this time allowed 121 days (11 x 11) between brewday and the anniversary party. We did make a few tweaks to the recipe based on learnings from last year. The Helles style is perfect for the extended lagering time, with so much hearty sweetness and a robustness that makes for a really incredible drink. Despite the wholesome feeling, it finishes exceptionally clean and dry, leaving you wanting that next sip. Saaz and Saphir are the hops of choice here, with quintessential noble hop characteristics. It’s a delicate yet present floral aroma, with lemon and lime notes, red berries, subtle spiciness and a refreshing crisp bitterness.

Black Mirror - 8% Cacao and Coconut Stout

In Greek Mythology, reflections (in water, for example) were seen as a glimpse into the soul. Famously, Narcissus caught a glimpse of himself in a pristine pool of water, and became so entranced with his own reflection that it drove him to despair. Popularised by Charlie Brooker, the modern day equivalent could be a glimpse into a Black Mirror, the term for the reflective black screen of your phones, laptops, televisions and monitors when they’re not in use. 

Come on, it wouldn’t be a Siren anniversary without at least a little darkness!

Our anniversary stout certainly encourages some delving into indulgence. It could be considered a follow up to Candour, our 2022 collaboration with Cycle Brewing in Florida. An absolute saturation of cacao, it’s akin to a glass of melted high-percentage Belgian chocolate. An overnight boil concentrates the sugars, building slick body and rich flavours of Demerara and Muscovado in the background of the beer. 

Like Candour, it packs the punch of a stout much greater in alcohol strength. The complexity and hints of vanilla and wafer almost give it a barrel-aged feel. Unlike Candour, this beer is also loaded up with hand-toasted desiccated coconut, infused into the stout with our Spinbot. The coconut is a perfect accent to the rich chocolate character, adding a second dimension of flavour that seems to both complement and accentuate the rest of the beer.

Decadence fit for a birthday.

Maiden 2023 - 10% Anniversary Barley Wine Blend

Of course, one pattern we always want to continue is the annual release of Maiden. Our anniversary Barley Wine is the first beer we brew each year and a fundamental part of what Siren is all about. It’s always a blend made up of fresh Maiden, alongside Maiden aged in all kinds of different barrels. Whenever we take beer out of the barrels, we top it back up, leaving 10% remaining, in a solera method to keep maximum character and flavour. We get the whole team together to form each annual blend, with a few special guests. This year we were joined by Mark Tranter (Burning Sky), Martin Milmore (Siren Crowdfunding Investor), Graham Reed (Siren Crowdfunding Investor) and Dan Mayer (Siren Crowdfunding Investor, longtime industry champion and big contributor to last year’s Maiden can fundraising).

The key factor in this year’s blend actually takes us back to last year’s anniversary. We brewed a special version of Maiden (inventively called Maiden Ten) with a 10-hour boil. This base beer was bigger and sweeter than any previous Maiden, and has been aged for 12 months in a selection of Red Wine, Rum and Bourbon barrels. It was incredibly popular with our blenders, and represents just over a third of Maiden 2023.

In the aroma, the distinctive caramel and fruitcake notes are there, with prominent apple brandy and glacé cherries. The sweet richness hits the palate first, but then gradually breaks into a breadth of orange, raisins and red wine-like flavours and structure. Before long though, you realise why at 13° plato this is the biggest Maiden blend we’ve ever released. The Maiden Ten contingent fights back with a sticky toffee finish, with some burnt sugar, vanilla and just a hint of tannin to keep things in check. There is some very old beer in this blend from some exceptional barrels (shout out 002 - Auchentoshan and 014 - Banyuls), so we hope you enjoy spending some time with it to let all its complexity open up.

Look out next week for updates on launch venues around the UK!