The Ale Archive

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The brewery: "A story that's been brewing for some time. Immortalised in the name of one of our famous ales, 1845 is a year that will forever be Fuller's. It was then that the partnership papers of Fuller, Smith & Turner were officially signed, marking the start of something special for London's brewery scene." The beer: "Brewed in 1995 to celebrate our 150th anniversary. A bottle conditioned recipe inspired by the original Fuller's brewing books. The Amber malts and Goldings hops combine to create a superb fruitcake aroma along with the biscuity & nutmeg malt."  

The brewery: "Established in 1994, in the cellar of Brighton’s Evening Star pub, Dark Star is a hobby that got out of control....Planned on the back of a beer mat before craft was cool, Dark Star was built by grit, graft, grey matter (and the Grateful Dead). Plus an unapologetic ‘brew (and do) what we want’ attitude." The beer: "It’s cold outside and we're coming in hot with a little IPA with BIG flavour! This 3.4% brew explodes with red fruit, caramel, citrus and pine notes." March 2024. Related entries

The brewery: "1730: The first drop of bona fide Allsopp family beer is brewed in Burton-on-Trent – the beer capital of Britain – by Benjamin Wilson Sr.......1934: Ind Coope & Allsopp is formed from the merger of the two breweries, most famous for its bottles of Double Diamond pale ale......2021: Jamie Allsopp, great-great-great-great- great-grandson of Samuel, finds the only remaining ledger containing the original recipes. It’s a red letter day. So he sets about resurrecting the original Allsopp’s yeast and – in-keeping with the Allsopp family knack for exceptional timing – begins brewing again in the middle of a global pandemic." The beer: "The Original India Pale Ale. Samuel Allsopp was the first to perfect Burton India Pale Ale in 1822. Some 200 years later, Allsopp & Sons invite you to savour this faithful recreation of the complex, beguiling, original IPA." March 2024

The brewery: "Founded in Oakham (Rutland) in 1993 and based in Peterborough since 1998, Craft Brew Legends Oakham Ales celebrate 30 years of brewing in 2023." The beer: "A smooth, dark and sumptuous stout brewed with no less than 8 different types of malt. With as you’d expect, a liberal dash of moreish Oakham hoppiness from plenty of Centennial and Olicana hops. March 2024. Related entries

The brewery: "Northern Monkey Brew Co is an award winning Micro Brewery based in Bolton.  We started trading in 2016 and like to brew both traditional cask ales alongside more adventurous, hop forward craft keg beers." The beer: " Citrusy, light and refreshing. To Eternity." The Lady Ottoline , London. March 2024

The brewery: It appears the Brodie's brewery closed in 2020 but beer bearing the name is now brewed by Rhymney. The beer: from CAMRA "A brown refreshing but full bodied bitter with a malty sweetness and plenty of American hops. Finish is dry with balanced bitterness 

The brewery: " Southwark Brewing Company was founded in 2014 by Peter Jackson and lifelong friend Andy Nichol. Peter had worked in the brewing industry since leaving university in 1981. There was only one problem.... he hadn't brewed a pint of beer in all that time, spending his time in sales and marketing. Enter master brewer Sean Franklin, a friend of over 25 years, and former owner of the award winning Roosters Brewery in Harrogate and pioneer of Hoppy Pale Ales. Via a complete home brew kit in his garage, Peter learnt the art of brewing to complement his knowledge of the theory!  The beer: "A traditional session London Porter based on an old recipe using English Pale, Crystal and Chocolate Malts, Fuggles and Goldings Hops. These produce a dark beer with malty body and bitterness balanced with a hint of coffee and liquorice." March 2024. Related entries.

The brewery: "............n innovative, contemporary brewery based just outside of London at the foot of the Chiltern Hills. Since our launch in 2010, we have continually grown and evolved. We pride ourselves on this continued evolution, with a focus on quality, innovation and exploration.    The beer: "Savor the allure of Arabica, where rich coffee meets classic porter. With its deep black hue and enticing aroma, this cask-aged gem delivers a harmonious blend of bold coffee, gentle bitterness, and velvety texture." March 2024

The brewery: "Emerson’s Brewery was founded by Richard Emerson in 1992. A Dunedin institution offering a vibrant atmosphere and outdoor beer garden, matched with delicious craft beer and a menu that caters for all tastes." The beer: "This English ale was born mature. Because even when it was new, it was old 95. Full body, but delicious toffee malty sweetness, and a lingering balanced bitterness, it's a recipe that gives new beers a run for their money. So, sit down in your favourite old chair, put on your favourite old slippers, and pull your favourite old 95."

The brewery: "Our story began in 1851 when founder Walter Hicks mortgaged his farm for £1,500 to set up a new family business in St Austell.....Walter started out as a modest wine merchant and maltster before buying the local Seven Stars Inn in 1863. Nestled on East Hill in St Austell, it was here where he learned the art of brewing. The business rapidly outgrew its original site, leading to relocation on Tregonissey Lane in 1893, where St Austell Brewery remains to this day. There have been many alterations and improvements over the years, but the essential brewhouse of 1893 still sits firmly at the heart of it all." The beer: "The spirit of independence and strength is what unites the people of Cornwall and the pint of Cornwall. Tribute – from the proudly Cornish and independent family brewery of over 150 years – is a tribute to these people, their spirit, and their unique approach to life."

The brewery: "Sprig + Fern Brewing Co. is an acclaimed brewery based on Beach Road, Richmond, in the Tasman district of New Zealand." The beer: "This velvety dark ale brings tantalising layers of chocolate, coffee and liquorice together in a rich, full-bodied and classically elegant way. For the ultimate flavour and finish, let it warm to 6-8°C." January 2024. 5.0% A.B.V.

The brewery: "Coopers is a brewing family. Its in our blood. For six generations we've been custodians of a proud legacy that began in 1862 when Thomas Cooper brewed his first batch of ale. Our passion for brewing has kept us together and helped us through economic recessions, wars, government imposts, changing tastes, and the occasional hostile takeover bid." The beer: "Now here's a beer with punch. Coopers Best Extra Stout is a beacon for lovers of a hearty brew. With its robust blend of fruit and chocolate flavours and bitter hop notes, it's everything a stout should be. An all malt brew that's naturally conditioned in the bottle, Coopers Best Extra Stout's unique rich, dark texture comes from our liberal use of specially roasted black malt. No additives. No preservatives." December 2023. 6.2% A.B.V

The brewery: " Breweries big and small regularly win international awards, and Kiwi beer lovers are spoilt for choice. This wasn’t the case in 1981. Back then, the word craft was only used was to describe the crocheted socks your nana churned out for the church fair. Then, in 1981, a man called Terry changed all that. He was a publican, and didn’t think much of the beer he could get for his pub, so he thought: ‘What if I brewed some myself?’. No-one had applied for a brewing license for 50 years, and no-one could even remember what forms you had to fill out. But he persevered, and he got his forms, and he got his license, and he brewed his beer, and what he brewed was Mac’s." The beer: "Black Mac is a smooth Porter with hints of caramel, liquorice & chocolate. Earnestly made from a combo of 5 different malts, topped with Fuggle hops. Black Mac swims with dark undercurrents of caramel, liquorice and chocolate, topped off with the unique aroma of the Fuggles. Yes, they

The brewery: " Emerson’s Brewery was founded by Richard Emerson in 1992. A Dunedin institution offering a vibrant atmosphere and outdoor beer garden, matched with delicious craft beer and a menu that caters for all tastes." The beer: " Porter is the oldest commercially brewed style and London Porter was Emerson’s first beer. Dark, dry and mellow with some hoppy characteristics, pours a deep brown colour with reddish tints. The aroma is toasty, with a hint of sweetness and some earthy hop notes. Firm-bodied but not heavy, with a creamy texture, the dryish palate is full of roasted malt, coffeeish notes and a sustained bitterness." January 2024

The brewery: "1876 - James Speight, Charles Greenslade and William Dawson hand in their notices at Well Park Brewery to establish their own brewery in Dunedin’s Rattray St. Dawson is the brewer, Greenslade the maltster and Speight the businessman." The beer: "5 malt old dark was introduced into the Speight's range in 1992 to meet consumer demands for the classic 'dark' beer. No prizes for guessing why it got its name. By carefully selecting, roasting and matching 5 separate malts we have crafted a dark beer that gives rich, creamy, chocolate fudge flavours swiftly followed by coffee overtones. Perfect for warming the cockles on a stormy night."