THE CASK PROJECT
Magic Rock announces fully vegan cask range
While previously the business used isinglass finings – a gelatine derived from fish swim bladder – it has switched to a vegan-friendly alternative fining agent.
Super F is a blended formulation, specifically designed for the rapid sedimentation of yeast, protein and other haze-forming particles producing bright beer.
Magic Rock marking manager Andrew Kruze said: The UK has seen a growing trend of consumers looking for healthier alternatives, including when sitting down at the pub for a pint of beer.
“Here at Magic Rock, we have seen a growing demand for gluten-free and vegan-friendly beers, which led us to launch our vegan-friendly core range in keg and can, alongside our gluten-free beers Saucery and Fantasma.
“Our aim has always been simple – to create beers we love to drink and proudly serve to everyone.
“As a result, we have been keen to offer an alternative to isinglass-fined traditional cask and meet demand from cask consumers.”
Accessibility aim
What is isinglass?
Isinglass comes from the swim bladders of fish, which are then boiled, turned into a viscous thick white liquid and poured into casks or kegs of beer before they leave the brewery.
Following this, a natural electro-static process happens where a positive charge in the isinglass attracts negative charges in the yeast and proteins in the beer. These then cling to the isinglass, which drags them to the bottom of the container.
It has been largely used in cask ale, which is not filtered and used less often in keg beers, which are filtered to remove yeast.
Head of production at the brewery Ari Rovati was giving the task to ensure the majority of Magic Rock’s range was vegan-friendly.
He said: “On the whole, we try to make our releases as accessible as possible. The majority of our keg and can products are all vegan-friendly, unfiltered and brewed without the use of isinglass finings, with the exception of a few special releases.
“This got us thinking, as a business built on the accessibility of modern-day beer, we wanted to ensure everyone could enjoy our full range including cask, which personally is some of my favourite beer to drink.
“After extensive trials across all our cask products throughout 2023 and 2024, we have switched to a vegan-friendly fining agent, Super F.”
The new agent means Magic Rock’s cask beer will continue to have the same appearance and taste they have always had, according to Rovati.
Same principle
“The new finings will work on the same principle as the previous finings and the change will not impact quality, flavour or aroma," he added.
“The only difference will be while tapping and conditioning remain the same, it will take a little longer (up to three days) to completely drop bright.
“As a modern, craft brewer, we are excited about the future and our ability to offer hazy and unfined cask beers. Watch this space!”
Magic Rock was acquired by In Good Company almost two years ago (August 2022) when it also bought Fourpure, bringing both brands back into British ownership.
In Good Company CEO Steve Cox added: “We are truly excited about our move to be one of a few entirely vegan-friendly cask beer producers in the UK.
“Since acquiring the brewery nearly two years ago, our aim has always been to make quality beer as accessible as possible, including our cask beer offerings.
“I truly believe in the rich beer culture within the UK and cask beer plays an integral part in the foundation of this and is something largely unique to the UK beer scene, something to be proud of and celebrated.
“We are looking forward to continuing to work with key partners to ensure our Magic Rock cask products get into more beer drinkers’ hands as we head into the latter end of 2024 and into 2025.”
