556: Small World Brewery | Long Moor Pale

The Brewery: “The last brewery in Shepley & Shelley, Seth Seniors ceased production in 1946 when it was taken over by Hammonds of Lockwood after 117 years of beer production in the valley.
More than 68 years on Small World Beers started production at Barncliffe Mills, a natural location for a brewery sitting in a valley famous for its spring water”………”Small World started production in 2014 after many years of planning and honing our skills, first coming together after a chance meeting between Dave Hill and Pete Forder who shared a passion for beer and brewing, and over a beer or three, Small World was born.”

The Beer: “Pale ale with grapefruit and citrusy notes with a light bitter finish, brewed with Centennial and Cascade hops.”

Regulars will deduce correctly from the description that this beer wasn’t really for me although it may have been more appealing on a hot summers night than a cold winters day. Crystal clear though and the journey south clearly didn’t do it any harm. Hopefully I’ll come across some more of their range on my travels. 3.9% A.B.V.

The Victoria Inn, Colchester, Essex. December 2018  |  WhatPub.com listing

555: Colchester Brewery | Ambassador

The Brewery: “In 2011 three friends, with considerable experience in the brewing industry, decided that they would set up a new brewery, financed by friends and family.”…..”A lot of hard work saw the creation of the Viaduct Brewhouse, at Wakes Colne Business Centre, just north of the Chappel viaduct. Tom was adamant that he wanted to create real ale using traditional methods, and in particular the double-drop brewing process, despite the extra cost involved. All the stakeholders wanted to create the best possible brewery with beers to be proud of. The first brew - aptly named No.1 - was ready for sale by February 2012.”

Happy New Year and welcome to the first entry of 2019. Looking back at the number of entries for previous years I was clearly slacking a bit in 2018. Must do better!

No mention of this on the brewery website but - and I’ve used this phrase before - it’s a good honest session bitter. Having brown in the description might lead some to believe this might be a bit sweet but it wasn’t. A nice balance - to my palate anyway - of hops and bitterness. Nice pub too. 3.9% A.B.V

The Victoria Inn, Colchester, Essex. December 2018. Whatpub.com entry

554: Butcombe - ChrisMoose

The Brewery: “In 1978, Butcombe Brewing Co. began. It was a time of cultural, social and political change, soundtracked by bands full of spit and anger riding the crest of the punk wave. Margaret Thatcher took the Tory leadership, the IRA waged war, the Yorkshire Ripper cast a long shadow over the North and the meaning of life was revealed as the number 42. We shut out the world and made beer.”

The Beer: Nothing on their website on what is obviously a seasonal special. The usual dark fruity winter ale. Enjoyable but not memorable - for the right or wrong reasons. 4.1% A.B.V

The Barley Mow, Kemptown, Brighton. December 2018

553: Purity - XPA

The Brewery: “Purity Brewing Company is an award winning craft brewery established in 2005………..Based on a working farm in the heart of the beautiful Warwickshire countryside, Purity are committed to brewing beer with a conscience. Our brewery practices are designed to be environmentally friendly and in some cases in the case of our wetland system, environmentally enriching.”

Nothing on their website about this one sadly, but it’s a pleasant pale ale although a little too hoppy and a touch too fruity for my awkward palate. Perfectly drinkable though. 4.0% A.B.V.

The Barley Mow, Kemptown, Brighton. December 2018.

552: Star Wing - Gospel Oak

The Brewery: “In 1877 a redbrick Sawmill stood proud, looking across the fields of rural Suffolk. In its dust, nearly 150 years later, awakes Star Wing Brewery.Still a place where craft and industry meet, the tree rings of old are laid bare and new lines are drawn”….

“Ever since the real ale revolution, the choice for us beer lovers has been greater than we could have ever dreamed. More micro-breweries are popping up every day, producing unique and exciting brews, virtually pouring ‘craft’ beer into our overflowing pint glasses. But what now? Is it still a Revolution? Or are enough people shunning lousy lagers and filling their boots with alternative ale? Either way, here at Star Wing we’re not interested in fads and phases. We’re interested in leaving a lasting taste, planting firm roots in our idyllic surroundings and giving mid Suffolk a brewery to be proud of”

The Beer: “A delectable session beer, made in line with the classic British style. This copper hued bitter is well balanced, with slight esters and biscuit undertones matching perfectly with the smooth bitterness and fruity aroma.”

I found this just a bit too fruity to be honest, reminded me a tad more of a red ale. Maybe something savoury to accompany would have helped. ok though. 3.8% A.B.V.

Where: The Shepherd, Langham, Suffolk. July 2018

551: Red Fox Brewery - Hunter’s Gold

The Brewery: “Red Fox Brewery was created in July 2008, in a refurbished chicken shed at Upp Hall Farm. Brewing began in August, and it has been producing award winning beers ever since…..Founder of Red Fox Brewery, Russ Barnes was the brewer of Supreme Champion Beer of Great Britain at the Great British Beer Festival two years running as head brewer at his previous brewery. After almost 4 years with them, Russ left to start his own brewery. The first beer brewed was Wily Ol’ Fox, swiftly followed by the CAMRA gold medal winning Coggeshall Gold.”

The Beer: “A Core beer and firm favourite at the brewery since the beginning, this CamRA gold medal winner is a good all-rounder with a hint of tangerine on the aroma from the fabulous Styrian Goldings hop.”

Our first beer after we’d moved from Wiltshire over to Essex and a truly local beer brewed just a few miles away from where we found it in a pub just over a mile from the campsite. Nice and light and a good session beer, it was ok but being a Golden it didn’t really hit my spot. 3.8% A.B.V.

We drank it at: The Alma, Copford, Essex in July 2018

While we were staying at: Woodpecker Meadow Campsite, Easthorpe, Essex.

550: Three Daggers - Daggers Blonde

The Brewery: “Housed in the same oak timber barn-style building as Edington Farm Shop, the Three Daggers Brewery opened in April 2013. Set up with an immaculate stainless steel and oak clad 2.5 barrel system and 8 fermenter tanks, one brew can produce 9 firkins, the equivalent of almost 650 pints of real ale.”

The Beer: “Brewed with a combination of Pale ale and munich malt and Saaz and Hallertau hops. This is a light refreshing ale with a gentle bitterness and floral aroma.”

Found this at The Cross Keys in Corsley, Wiltshire, a terrific community run pub not far from Longleat Caravan & Motorhome Club site where we were staying. Refreshing it was and easy drinking at 3.6% A.B.V but the floral aroma got up my nose just a tad too much. July 2018