Round One of the search for a beer good enough to carry the Roux name has been completed, and a judging panel, headed by Michel Roux Jr and Albert Roux, have confirmed the shortlist for the Roux Brew.
Alongside fellow judges Head Sommelier at Le Gavroche David Galetti, Greg Wallace co-presenter on the MasterChef series, Silvano Giraldin, Rachel Humphreys Head Chef at Le Gavroche and Luke Finegan Sous Chef at Roux at Parliament Square, Michel and Albert said that these five really stood out amongst the very varied flavours and styles that were submitted by 12 top London breweries, all members of the London Brewers Alliance.
Pairing with the fresh flavours of summer menus
“We were amazed at the complexity and originality of the beers that were entered into the competition, but we drew up our shortlist from those that we felt would best pair with the fresh flavours that characterise our summer menus,” says Michel.
The winner of the Roux Brew will be announced at Roux at Parliament Square on 7 March at an event attended by the five shortlisted brewers who are (in alphabetical order):
Brew by Numbers – Saison – 5.6 ABV – hibiscus, chamomile, Seville orange zest, Amarillo hops, raw and malted wheat
By the Horns – Pale Rye Ale – 5.2 ABV – lemongrass, lime zest, rye malt and Sorachi Ace hops
Fourpure – Belgian-style – 5.6 ABV – Belgian yeast, fresh pink grapefruit zest, fresh Sicilian Navelina orange zest, and coriander seed
Hackney – Pale Ale – 5 ABV – Nelson Sauvin hops, fresh crushed gooseberry and grape infusions
Windsor & Eton – Golden Ale – 5.3 ABV – locally grown (Windsor Royal estate) floor malted barley, Waimea and Saaz hops, pink peppercorns and thyme
The ‘Roux Brew’
The ‘Roux Brew’, will be a special ‘house’ beer to be paired with seasonal summertime food for the Michelin 2 starred Le Gavroche, and for Roux at Parliament Square and Roux at the Landau restaurants.
The listing will be guaranteed from April till the end of September, and a competition for a second brew for winter menus is planned for the autumn.