The Ale Archive

The brewery: “Here at West Berkshire Brewery, we champion traditional brewing techniques and showcase the finest UK hops to produce high quality, distinctive and award-winning real ales and craft beers. We’re an independent brewery with over 23 years of brewing experience.” The beer: “This beautifully balanced session ale has a refreshing light floral flavour provided by a single variety of English hops. Mr Chubbs was the nickname given to the founder’s father, a lock keeper on the River Thames.” Certainly not too florally for me - in fact I enjoyed it very much and the flavour belied it’s strength - 3.7% A.B.V Walkers of Whitehall , London. February 2018

The brewery: “When Fyne Ales was founded in 2001, the aim was to bring prosperity – jobs, industry and tourism – to the quiet, isolated corner of Scotland that our founders’ call home. We’re proud to be a modern, rural farm brewery – to use our stunning, rustic Argyll estate not only for sustainable farming, but as a base for producing the highest quality progressive beers that are enjoyed all over the world.” The beer: “Cask special - December 2018…..Gentle stone-fruit flavours with a hint of citrus lightness underpinned by smooth, rounded malt backbone and a touch of rye spice in the finish….Brewed on a very wet November day when the River Fyne threatened to burst its banks, Ryesing Water is hoppy session ale with NZ, USA and UK hops, built on a backbone of complex malt including heaps of chewy, lightly spicy rye.” Despite the description I didn’t find this too hoppy - maybe the rye and malts kept those pesky hops in check somewhat. I didn’t find it particularly memorable for the ri...

The Brewery: “ The last brewery in Shepley & Shelley, Seth Seniors ceased production in 1946 when it was taken over by Hammonds of Lockwood after 117 years of beer production in the valley. More than 68 years on Small World Beers started production at Barncliffe Mills, a natural location for a brewery sitting in a valley famous for its spring water”………” Small World started production in 2014 after many years of planning and honing our skills, first coming together after a chance meeting between Dave Hill and Pete Forder who shared a passion for beer and brewing, and over a beer or three, Small World was born.” The Beer: “Pale ale with grapefruit and citrusy notes with a light bitter finish, brewed with Centennial and Cascade hops.” Regulars will deduce correctly from the description that this beer wasn’t really for me although it may have been more appealing on a hot summers night than a cold winters day. Crystal clear though and the journey south clearly didn’t do it any harm. Hop...

The Brewery: “In 2011 three friends, with considerable experience in the brewing industry, decided that they would set up a new brewery, financed by friends and family.”…..”A lot of hard work saw the creation of the Viaduct Brewhouse, at Wakes Colne Business Centre, just north of the Chappel viaduct. Tom was adamant that he wanted to create real ale using traditional methods, and in particular the double-drop brewing process, despite the extra cost involved. All the stakeholders wanted to create the best possible brewery with beers to be proud of. The first brew - aptly named No.1 - was ready for sale by February 2012.” Happy New Year and welcome to the first entry of 2019. Looking back at the number of entries for previous years I was clearly slacking a bit in 2018. Must do better! No mention of this on the brewery website but - and I’ve used this phrase before - it’s a good honest session bitter. Having brown in the description might lead some to believe this might be a bit sweet but...

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...