The Ale Archive

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

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.

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 balan...

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 bei...

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

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

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