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Craft Beer & Brewing

Recipe: Thornbridge The Union IPA

You may not be able to ferment in a proper Burton Union—though we wouldn’t put it past some of you to build your own—but you can brew your own version of this beer that Thornbridge developed specifically for the country’s last working Union set.

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Photo: Courtesy Thornbridge Brewery
Photo: Courtesy Thornbridge Brewery

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“This is a classic British-style IPA designed to celebrate the best character of British brewing ingredients,” says Dominic Driscoll, brewing director at Thornbridge in Bakewell, Derbyshire, England.

“It’s a big, malty beer balanced with the traditional invert-sugar addition, which adds another layer of toffee-caramel flavor and aids drinkability. The hops pack a bitter punch but offset the residual sweetness and malt character, lending an earthy aroma.”

ALL-GRAIN

Batch size: 5 gallons (19 liters)
Brewhouse efficiency: 72%
OG: 1.062 (15.2°P)
FG: 1.010 (2.5°P)
IBUs: 55
ABV: 7%

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From Grain to Class (Spring 2026)
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From Grain to Class (Spring 2026)
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