The Ale Archive

The Brewery: “Wimbledon has a long and illustrious brewing history. The new brewery is based on the site of Merton Priory which was brewing throughout the Middle Ages until its dissolution in 1538. One William Watney ran the Wheatsheaf Brewery in the Crooked Billet area of Wimbledon in the 18th century. His direct descendants went on to establish the famous Watney brewing empire…..” The Beer: “Named after Wimbledon’s historic Common, this pale ale is burnished gold in colour with a bright sparkle. The aroma has spicy orange notes with a light malt fruitiness. The middle palate is clean with the Maris Otter malt character coming through with orange fruits making a re-appearance, merging with the final refreshing bite of bitterness.” Well I didn’t cop too much of the orange flavour thankfully. Not my favourite style of ale as I’ve said many times but on what was quite a long night it was good to start with something lighter. Another one I’d say that , served a little colder, would be ver

The Brewery: “ We've been brewing in New Mills since 2015, based at the Marina and opposite the famous Swizzels factory. Our name comes from the other major landmark of the town, the Torrs - a park set in the 70-foot-deep gorge cut by the Rivers Goyt & Sett, that the town stands above and around, where many of the town's mills used to stand……Torrside is a democratic set-up between 3  long-practicing homebrewers,  Chris, Nick, and Peter  -  with a lot of support from our long-suffering partners.   We'd each been brewing for several years, excited by the sheer range of beer from the new UK brewers, US imports and even more from Europe - and it felt time to do something with all that beer obsession. “ No official description or tasting notes from the brewery. Pleasant but a little lifeless carbonation wise, quite smooth but I felt lacked the body that some stouts have at a similar A.B.V. Would happily drink again though. 4.0% A.B.V. Westow House , Crystal Palace, London. O