Canny Bevvy

Subject: Brewery Report February 2008 Tue Feb 05, 2008 12:15 pm

Beers

Regular Beers : Auld Hemp, Nel’s Best, Matfen Magic

The latest new beer from the brewery, Ferocious Fred. is doing extremely well, and the brewery is receiving a lot of demand for it. Steve describes it as “a milk porter, very dark amber coloured, almost black, with a thick tan head. The nose is of chocolaty roasted, nutty toffee and spicy notes. A full bodied, smooth almost velvet texture. Tastes very much like it smells, with a pleasing sweetness”.
A one-off brew of Lily Brewster (4.5) has been done to celebrate Lily’s birthday on January 21st.
Planned : I have asked Steve to consider a new beer for this year’s Newcastle Beer Festival, and he is very keen to do so, especially as the brewery celebrates it’s 5th anniversary this April. I still plan to visit the brewery to discuss this with Steve, once he has had a chance to talk to his brewing team.

Capacity

Still brewing twice a week, brewery is a 10-barrel plant.

Outlets

The beers have now appeared in over 150 pubs as guest beers, and have again been appearing at numerous Beer Festivals.The brewery is still concentrating on increasing the number of outlets in Northumberland.

Distribution (No change since last report)

Currently on Sir John Fitzgerald, Flying Firkin, & Beer Seller lists.

Other

Congratulations to Steve and Sally - Nel’s Best has recently won the gold award for Best Bitters at the SIBA North Region Beer Competition, and won the Silver award overall.

The brewery is still going from strength to strength and Steve is very pleased with the progress. The beers are going out as fast as he can brew them, and sales of the bottled versions of the beers, not cask conditioned, are increasing.

The visitor centre is still proving popular, so much so that it now employs 22 people. Meal reservations are on the increase, and Steve has again invited the branch to hold a branch meeting at the brewery. I would urge the branch to take up this offer very soon as Sally has informed me that she is currently offering CAMRA members, on production of a valid membership card, 2 pints for the price of 1. The offer is only for the card holder. The Visitor Centre is hosting a Valentine Special Dinner on Saturday February 16th, where a 4-course dinner will be on offer for £19-95 per person. Each course will be served with a half-pint of one of the brewery’s real ales, selected to complement the course. The price also includes a welcome black velvet cocktail, Ferocious Fred with champagne!