The Ale Archive

The brewery: “Phew, where has the time gone? We’ve been brewing for almost 15 years……Our roots are firmly in the West Country, where we continue to be inspired by the engineering triumphs of the late great Isambard Kingdom Brunel.” The beer: “On 7th Sept 1859 the largest ship the world had ever seen, Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s Great Eastern, was launched. It’s five black funnels, lined up like pints of porter on bar. However, two days later a build up of steam blew one of the Great Eastern’s funnels clean off. An event that years later inspired this porter’s name. Skilfully built from citrus Target, spicy Challenger and earthy Fuggle hops, our porter is a voyage of vanilla sweetness and bitter chocolate.” Not my favourite porter but tasty enough and it was good to pick up some Box Steam beers again, whilst staying in Somerset, after a gap of a few years. Worth noting that ALL their beers are currently gluten free and suitable for vegans too. 4.5% A.B.V. October 2021. Related entri

The brewery: “Based in the heart of Stockport for over 181-years, owning a collection of around 260 pubs, inns and hotels across the North West and North Wales, Robinsons is one of the most respected names in British brewing and innkeeping.” The beer: “Dubbed ‘The original craft beer’, this dangerously drinkable legend has been in the family since 1899, when Tom, the old brewery cat, was sketched into immortality by Robinsons’ Head Brewer as he waited for the ale to ferment. 120 years on and it’s still the same great tasting ale, brewed to the same award-winning recipe.” Oh my. This was very nice indeed. Rich and malty but well balanced with some bitter hops. In the smaller 330ml bottle but then it is 8.5% A.B.V. Certainly one to be sipped and savoured rather than sloshed back. October 2021. Related entries

The brewery: Meantime Brewing Company is a brewery based in Greenwich, London, England, and owned by Japan's Asahi Breweries. The company was founded by Alastair Hook in 1999, and was purchased by SABMiller in May 2015. The beer: “British and American hops unite to make a sessionable pale ale that’s packed with citrus flavour. Now that’s a special relationship.” Yeah, a bit too fruity for me to be honest. Might enjoy more on a warm summers night, serving it a bit colder. October 2021. Related entries

The brewery: “Myself and partner Sue began brewing hand crafted beers in our garden shed, with just two fermenters and a four barrel plant, the ales were bottled in the kitchen!……Our beer production grew, so we moved to a 1000 sq ft unit in Cheddleton, enabling a 6 barrel plant to be set up, allowing us to sell more beers at local farmers’ markets” The beer: “Brewed the traditional way with a lower ABV at 3.8%. Creating a great session ale with the addition of floral and honey tones. Triple Filtered For A Clean Crisp Finish.” I’ve been gravitating towards stronger beers but this made a pleasant change and one I’d happily sink a few of in an evening. Very pleasant without being outstanding. October 2021. Related entries

The brewery: “Myself and partner Sue began brewing hand crafted beers in our garden shed, with just two fermenters and a four barrel plant, the ales were bottled in the kitchen!……Our beer production grew, so we moved to a 1000 sq ft unit in Cheddleton, enabling a 6 barrel plant to be set up, allowing us to sell more beers at local farmers’ markets” The beer: “Brewed the traditional way with a higher percentage of hops added. Creating a 4.2% full bodied bitter with a hoppy aftertaste. Triple Filtered For A Clean Crisp Finish.” Regulars will have guessed correctly that this wasn’t one of my favourites, however it was quite refreshing, served as it was – by accident – a bit colder. October 2021. Related entries

The brewery: “Our ethos is pretty simple - to brew technically excellent and consistently awesome beer.We want to keep building on the strong foundations which hold us up, to sit on the shoulders of the legendary Milk Stout and Southville Hop and push the boundaries of brewing with an ever-evolving range of beers in cask, keg and can.” The beer: “ SMOOTH.BALANCED.MOREISH. 3 WORDS THAT ANY AMBER BEER SHOULD SCREAM FROM THE BREWERY ROOF. FORTITUDE BRINGS YOU ALL 3 IN TANKFULLS WITH THE VERY BEST OF CLASSIC BRITISH MALTS & HOPS ” Nice drop this, made for a lovely lunchtime pint – just the one I might add! Very tasty. George Hotel & Pilgrims’ Inn , Glastonbury. October 2021. Related entries

The brewery: “Myself and partner Sue began brewing hand crafted beers in our garden shed, with just two fermenters and a four barrel plant, the ales were bottled in the kitchen!……Our beer production grew, so we moved to a 1000 sq ft unit in Cheddleton, enabling a 6 barrel plant to be set up, allowing us to sell more beers at local farmers’ markets” The beer: “Brewed the traditional way this 4.8% IPA is reminiscent of the original c19th IPA’s. Triple Filtered For A Clean Crisp Finish.” Yep, would agree with that – not that I was around in the 19th century though it sometimes looks it! October 2021. Related entries

The brewery: “Myself and partner Sue began brewing hand crafted beers in our garden shed, with just two fermenters and a four barrel plant, the ales were bottled in the kitchen!……Our beer production grew, so we moved to a 1000 sq ft unit in Cheddleton, enabling a 6 barrel plant to be set up, allowing us to sell more beers at local farmers’ markets” The beer: “Brewed the traditional way with a selection well balanced hops and malt. Creating a 5.0% amber ale with a slight citrus finish. Triple Filtered for a clean crisp finish.” Quite nice this, I wasn’t put off by the citrus finish.   October 2021 Related entries

The brewery: “In Spring 2005 Matthew Walley cashed his pension savings (at 33, he figured he shouldn’t need them too soon), spent it all on brewing equipment and set about brewing with mate Terry Ashford without telling anyone. Even before the paperwork and personal relationships were sorted Old Wavertonian had won Beer of the Festival at CAMRA Northwich Beer Festival 2005- the first beer festival we were entered into- and we haven’t looked back since.“ The beer: “A robust dark stout full of roast barley chocolate and coffee flavours & aromas“ My second from Spitting Feathers and undoubtedly my favourite of the two – but then I love a dark beer. September 2021. Related entries

The brewery: “In Spring 2005 Matthew Walley cashed his pension savings (at 33, he figured he shouldn’t need them too soon), spent it all on brewing equipment and set about brewing with mate Terry Ashford without telling anyone. Even before the paperwork and personal relationships were sorted Old Wavertonian had won Beer of the Festival at CAMRA Northwich Beer Festival 2005- the first beer festival we were entered into- and we haven’t looked back since.“ The beer: “Pale malts and cutting edge hops combine to produce this moreish I.P.A.” Procured by a friend from a local (to her) brewery. IPA is not my favourite style of beer as regulars will know but after a long drive straight after work one Friday night this went down very well indeed. Quite potent at 5.6% A.B.V. September 2021