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

549: Gower - Rumour

The brewery: “The idea of starting a microbrewery had been discussed many times. We were already running two busy pubs in the Gower, so forming a microbrewery was the natural next step.The company was formed in September 2011. We acquired a 5 barrel brew plant in October and renovated our building. Walls, floor, ceiling... the lot. The brew plant was installed in November, with haste to try and hit our goal of brewing on the 11th of the 11th of the 11th!  We managed it. Our 1st brew (Brew1)  was completed at around 4pm on 11/11/11. Not a date we'll forget in a hurry.”

The beer: A strong ruby red ale, with amazing complex tastes and aromas, produced from a delicate mix of malts and hops.“

One of the sweeter ruby ales to grace my palate but enjoyable nonetheless and in excellent condition as all the Gower beers have been. A big thanks once again to Paul for a very thorough evenings research….July 2018

548: Gower - LIghthouse

The brewery: “The idea of starting a microbrewery had been discussed many times. We were already running two busy pubs in the Gower, so forming a microbrewery was the natural next step.The company was formed in September 2011. We acquired a 5 barrel brew plant in October and renovated our building. Walls, floor, ceiling... the lot. The brew plant was installed in November, with haste to try and hit our goal of brewing on the 11th of the 11th of the 11th!  We managed it. Our 1st brew (Brew1)  was completed at around 4pm on 11/11/11. Not a date we'll forget in a hurry.”

The beer: “Lighthouse is a light, thirst quenching, continental style lager. It's packed with flavour and comes in at 4.5%. You will find Lighthouse a change to the clean style lagers as it offers a gentle but unmissable hoppiness of Saaz and Bobek.”

Yes, I know. It was a lager - but it was a gift and it was palatable. Not really to my taste but crystal clear. July 2018

547: Gower - Gower Power

The brewery: “The idea of starting a microbrewery had been discussed many times. We were already running two busy pubs in the Gower, so forming a microbrewery was the natural next step.The company was formed in September 2011. We acquired a 5 barrel brew plant in October and renovated our building. Walls, floor, ceiling... the lot. The brew plant was installed in November, with haste to try and hit our goal of brewing on the 11th of the 11th of the 11th!  We managed it. Our 1st brew (Brew1)  was completed at around 4pm on 11/11/11. Not a date we'll forget in a hurry.“

The beer: “Gower Power, like all of our ales, is brewed with traditional floor malted barley and packed full of a choice quality hops, to give a powerful Welsh example of a true British classic – Indian Pale Ale. At 5.5% abv you will certainly feel 'The Power'! Gower Power has a huge following, and we think that's it's fans are right to be so passionate about this beer. It's a cracker.

Packed a punch this one - a tad on the fruity side for me but by now we were well into our ‘research’ and it went down very well. 5.5% A.B.V. July 2018.

546: Gower - Gower Gold

The brewery: “The idea of starting a microbrewery had been discussed many times. We were already running two busy pubs in the Gower, so forming a microbrewery was the natural next step.The company was formed in September 2011. We acquired a 5 barrel brew plant in October and renovated our building. Walls, floor, ceiling... the lot. The brew plant was installed in November, with haste to try and hit our goal of brewing on the 11th of the 11th of the 11th!  We managed it. Our 1st brew (Brew1)  was completed at around 4pm on 11/11/11. Not a date we'll forget in a hurry.“

The beer: “Gower Gold is a thirst quenching golden ale. It has refreshing citrus flavours and the lovely aroma of the cascade hops. Brewed since December 2011, this beer has become an all round firm favourite. Gower Gold clocks in at 4.5% abv and is available all year round…….Gower Gold is perfect on any occasion, but we think it's extra special with Fish or a Curry..

Perfect for a warm summer’s night on a campsite which was where it was drank, in the company of friends. 4.5% A.B.V. July 2018.