All Party Beer Group honours Beer Academy Sommelier
Posted by admin in Uncategorized on May 17, 2012
The All Party Parliamentary Beer Group presented its inaugural award for the “Beer Sommelier of the Year” to Nigel Sadler at the Annual Beer Awards dinner held in Westminster last night.
Commenting on the Award, Andrew Griffiths MP, Chairman of the Group, said “Too many people lose sight of the pivotal role that beer plays in the UK economy – and of its contribution to the British way of life. The Beer Academy has done a fantastic service for the appreciation and promotion of beer by establishing this new Beer Sommelier qualification, which will create a pool of ambassadors with the knowledge, communication skills and, most importantly, the passion to inspire people to rediscover our national drink.
I am delighted that the Beer Group’s first Beer Sommelier of the Year award is going to Nigel Sadler, who has been untiring in using his new found status as a Beer Academy Sommelier to build public awareness of the enormous diversity of beer styles and the opportunities to partner beer and food. ”
Acorn takes taste of Barnsley to Palace of Westminster
Acorn Brewery’s famous Barnsley Bitter is being put under a national spotlight in the Houses of Parliament.
The championship cask-conditioned ale from the fast growing Barnsley brewer is on sale as the guest beer in the House of Commons’ Stranger’s Bar during May.
Barnsley East MP and cask ale enthusiast Michael Dugher nominated Acorn’s signature beer for the popular Commons bar to showcase a Barnsley success story. The chestnut coloured ale has claimed many top awards – including a silver accolade at Camra’s (Campaign for Real Ale) annual Great British Beer Festival.
Barnsley Bitter (3.8%) was the first beer rolled out when the brewery launched in 2003. Acorn uses the same yeast strain as the original Barnsley Brewery of the 19th century to recreate the traditional Yorkshire brew once widely popular among industrial workers.
Based in Wombwell, Acorn has enjoyed an outstanding success story since launch by Dave and Judi Hughes – claiming more than fifty awards. Five years ago they invested in a 20-barrel-brew-length plant to double production capacity to 100 barrels-a-week. Recently further equipment has been added to meet the burgeoning demand for Acorn brands.*
Michael Dugher said: “I wanted to get Barnsley Bitter served in the Palace of Westminster as I think it is a great opportunity to showcase such a fantastic local brew. It is also brilliant to be able to share some of Barnsley’s finest produce with colleagues in Parliament. Acorn Brewery produces many popular beers so hopefully this will be the first of many local bitters enjoyed by parliamentarians in the Palace of Westminster.”
After visiting the Commons on Monday to sample the beer with Mr Dugher (see photograph), head brewer Dave Hughes said: “Being on the bar in the House of Commons offers a wonderful shop window for our Barnsley Bitter, which is already award winning ale on the national stage. It has received a very good early reception. We hope a proper taste of Yorkshire will help ease the pain for MPs a little after a hard day dealing with the nation’s woes.”
Barnsley Bitter is always available at the Old No 7 pub, Acorn’s brewery tap in Market Hill, Barnsley, recently voted CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) ‘Local Pub of the Year’.
Full steam ahead as Titanic Brewery sponsors Oatcake Day
Forget Pancake Day – its full steam ahead for Oatcake celebration
Oatcake Day fun will be on the menu at Titanic Brewery Staffordshire pubs as the Potteries based brewery gives its backing to Oatcake Day 2012 on August 8.
The Stoke-on-Trent brewer has struck a deal to sponsor the special day in honour of the unique North Staffordshire delicacy.
Oatcake Day was founded by local DJ Terry Bossons in 2010 and has rapidly grown in popularity.
More than 8,000 people backed a campaign on Facebook after Terry, of Biddulph, suggested the North Staffordshire oatcake should have its own special day.
Terry organises a special music night every year to honour the oatcake and has become known for enticing music, tv and sports stars to pose with an “I Support Oatcake Day” placard.
Stars from rock guitarist Slash to comedian Ricky Gervais have been persuading to back Oatcake Day by Terry.
He said: “Support for Oatcake Day has grown rapidly since we first launched it in 2010. The community has really got behind the campaign and it is fantastic that we now have Titanic Brewery in place as a sponsor.
“It is a great fit – two great North Staffordshire products working together – and the promotion of Oatcake Day in the Titanic pubs will add a lot to the buzz surrounding Oatcake Day 2012.”
Keith Bott, Managing Director of Titanic Brewery, said: “Titanic Brewery is based on Burslem, the Mother Town of the Potteries, so throwing our support behind Oatcake Day seemed a natural thing to do.
“We will work with Terry and his team to promote the day and hold celebrations in our pubs in Stoke, Burslem, Newcastle , Leek, Stafford and Stone.”
Moody Plc works with Eden Brewery
Posted by admin in Uncategorized on May 15, 2012
Moody Systems have had a hand in making Jason Hill and Stephen Mitchell’s brewery plans turn into reality by helping to set up their five barrel brewery in Penrith, Cumbria. Eden Brewery first started brewing with the help from specialists Moody Systems Ltd in March 2012 and are now enjoying the benefits from the equipment provided.
After discussing his plans with Kerry Piper, Internal Sales Coordinator at Moody Systems, they were able to put together a five barrel brewery due to the excellent standard of equipment on offer. Part of the Moody group of companies, Moody Systems have been suppliers and service providers to the brewery industry for over 35 years.
“As soon as we got in touch with Moody Systems, we realised they had the right solution for us. They even arranged for me to visit to another brewery to see their equipment in action. There were many questions we had, particularly as this was our first brewery project, but they had plenty of reassurance to guide us through the process. We are now into full production with a couple of great beers and plans for further product development very soon.,” said Jason Hill, co- owner and Head Brewer at Eden Brewery.
Kerry commented, “We try and schedule visits to breweries for our customers to ensure they know exactly what they are getting. This has proved very productive and customers can get some excellent answers. Eden Brewery is a very good example of how we have worked on a start-up brewery project and have found our customer to be very satisfied indeed!”
For more information on our brewery equipment on offer, please contact Kerry Piper on 01777 712110 or email kerry.piper@moodyplc.com
Cyclists Fighting Cancer and The Shakespeare Hospice
On Sunday 27th May Paul Halsey and 5 other Purity colleagues will be doing a sponsored charity ride around the Warwickshire countryside.
Purity have set themselves a fundraising target at £150 ( although I know with your generous support they will smash this!). This equates to £1 for every mile cycled by the team. Donations will be split equally between Cyclists Fighting Cancer and The Shakespeare Hospice. If you want to get the sponsorship ball rolling please click the link below
http://www.charitygiving.co.uk/puritybrewingco
Any donation is gratefully received, whatever the amount – it all helps.
Thanks for your support,
Jill, Giles, Flo, Mark, Paul and Steff!
Feel free to pass on the link to anyone else you think might be willing to sponsor us!
Westminster Beckons For Ilkley Brewery’s ‘Save The Pub’ Beer
Taking to the ministerial pumps for a third time in two years, Ilkley Brewery’s beer is once again on tap at the prestigious House of Commons’ Strangers’ Bar this week.
The spa town’s ‘Save the Pub’ ale will be enjoyed by MPs in support of the All Party Parliamentary Save the Pub group chaired by North West Leeds MP, Greg Mulholland. In recent years, the parliamentary group has been lobbying Government to come up with changes to help keep local pubs alive and well, including rules to try and stop developers closing down profitable pubs.
Back in July 2011, Mr Mulholland visited Ilkley Brewery and was one of the first to sample a pint of ‘Save the Pub’. Testament to the brew’s fine flavours, Mr Mulholland has now secured a sought-after spot for the beer at the House of Commons’ watering hole.
Mr Mulholland commented: ““The Save the Pub Group has worked tirelessly over the past three years, seeking to preserve and protect the Great British pub, which plays such an important part of this country’s history and heritage and is hugely important to the communities they serve. It is great to get together and toast our success and have the group’s hard work recognised.
“I was delighted to welcome Ilkley Brewery down to Westminster to join the Save the Pub Group in celebrating our third anniversary with a pint of their specially brewed Save the Pub ale. I hope my colleagues will take the opportunity, whilst the Save the Pub ale is on, to get down to Strangers’ and enjoy a pint and show their support for the Great British pub!
“The Save the Pub Group will, however, not be resting on our laurels and will continue being a strong voice for the British pub in Westminster and nationally for years to come.”
Speaking of his support for the group, Stewart Ross, one of Ilkley Brewery’s directors, said: “As a small brewery in a thriving town, we are continually reminded of the value local pubs bring to communities. Not only do they provide employment and support local food and drink producers, they offer a communal hub for people who live in the area and help build stronger and closer communities.
“We hope our ‘Save the Pub’ beer helps to raise awareness of some of the issues the All Party Parliamentary Save the Pub group is addressing and that we start to see an upturn in pubs’ prosperity across the land.”
To find out more about Ilkley Brewery, visit: www.ilkleybrewery.co.uk or to read the brewery’s blog, go to: www.ilkleybreweryblog.blogspot.com
Wadworth Brewery in line for Green Award
Posted by admin in south west on May 14, 2012
Chairman Charles Bartholomew, Dawn Youngman, Su Stafford, Brian Yorston and Colin Oke of Wadworth’s
Wadworth brewery in Devizes has confirmed its eco-friendly credentials after it was announced that it is up for a national ‘green’ award.
The Northgate brewery is one of ten companies shortlisted in the community vote category of the National Footprint Awards 2012.
The award encourages consumers to support local food and drink businesses that operate strong green policies by voting for them to win. There were originally some 50 companies nominated in this category.
The winner and two runners-up will be announced at the National Footprint Awards dinner to be held in London on May 24.
Su Stafford, manager of the brewery’s popular visitor centre, said: “We worked hard to implement our green policies and are proud of our commitment to sustainable brewing.
“I’m delighted that the progress we have made has been recognised, and many thanks to everyone who voted for us – fingers crossed now for May 24.”
Wadworth has implemented a wide variety of green measures over the last few years. These include re-using casks and kegs and the recycling of waste products from the brewery such as used grain and hops.
Energy conservation has been assisted with the installation of a vapour condenser, which makes use of steam produced in the brewing process to heat incoming water.
The inclusion in the short-list is the latest accolade the brewery has received for its conservation and recycling policies.
The visitor centre at the brewery was recently awarded silver in the National Sustainable Tourism Certificate scheme, the only such scheme for the UK.
It is an improvement on last year’s bronze award and reflects the further efforts made by Wadworth staff to improve green measures and work with the community.
The inspectors praised the informal role played by the visitor centre in taking on the role of Devizes Information Tourist Centre, closed last year by Wiltshire Council.
Jonathan Neame to Become New BBPA Chairman
Posted by admin in Uncategorized on May 14, 2012
The FINANCIAL — Jonathan Neame, the chief executive of Kent-based brewer and pub company Shepherd Neame, is to become the new chairman of the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA).
Neame’s appointment follows the departure of Molson Coors chief executive Mark Hunter, who is taking up a role as head of a new, Europe-based business unit following Molson Coors’ acquisition of StarBev. A handover will take place before the end of June.
Neame is currently a BBPA vice-chairman and executive board member and moves from his current role as chairman of the BBPA’s future beer group, where he has led the BBPA’s high-profile campaigning against excessive beer tax rises, and its championing of beer as a category.
Neame joined his family company in 1991. He was company secretary until 1999 when he was appointed managing director. According to Caterer and Hotelkeeper, he became chief executive in 2003. He is a barrister and was a managing consultant with COBA Group from 1987 to 1991. He is also a non-executive director of the St Austell brewery company.
Neame said: “In Britain we should all cherish and celebrate the role of beer and pubs. They are vital to the country’s economic, social and cultural life and with the right support should be a driver of growth, investment and job creation. I am passionate about the industry and honoured to step into the role at this time.”
BBPA chief executive Brigid Simmonds added: “I am delighted to welcome Jonathan as our new chairman. He brings huge experience of brewing and pubs. He is already a great champion of British beer, and also of the need for the industry to work closely together to ensure our voice carries weight with Government.”
Stefan Orlowski (Heineken UK managing director) is to become BBPA vice-chairman and Paul Wells (chief executive, Charles Wells) a BBPA director.
Brewery takes over the Bank
A SOUTH Tyneside pub boss is brewing fresh expansion plans … on the other side of the river.
Jarrow Brewery, which opened its latest pub only a matter of months ago, has taken over the real ale and music pub, The Magnesia Bank in Camden Street, North Shields.
Launched in 2002, Jarrow Brewery already operates The Robin Hood in Primrose Hill, Jarrow, The Maltings Brewery Tap in Claypath Lane, South Shields, where its brewing operations are based, and The Isis, in Silksworth Row, Sunderland, the latter pub opening last October, after a £500,000 revamp.
Now brewery owners Jess and Alison McConnell are acquiring The Magnesia Bank, which they plan to refurbish.
Mr McConnell said: “The Magnesia Bank has been a very popular pub, and Jarrow Brewery is delighted to be taking it over.
“The pub has a reputation for real ale and live music, and we aim to continue with both, while improving the beer line, including introducing our own Jarrow Brewery beers and a good selection of other ales.”
Meanwhile, Jarrow Brewery is also pressing ahead with its plans to convert the former St Andrew’s Church on Hebburn riverside into a brewery. A planning application to turn the Grade 11-listed Victorian building into a brewhouse was due to be submitted to South Tyneside Council this week.
Mr McConnell said a survey revealed there were no bats in the old church, which could have delayed plans.
“It’s been a long, drawn-out affair, including a structural survey and other delays, but after the planning application goes in, things should start moving,” he added.
Rivet Catcher, Jarrow Brewery’s most popular beer, will eventually be brewed at Hebburn, while production of its other ales will remain at The Maltings in South Shields.
The Hebburn real ale scheme is set to create five jobs and 22 posts over the next five years, after Jarrow Brewery won a share of a £93m Government growth fund, expected to create 8,500 jobs across the region.
But Mr McConnell stressed that Jarrow Brewery’s headquarters remains rooted at the Robin Hood pub, where brewing first started a decade ago.
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