Brews News

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BREWS NEWS
News from breweries and pub chains.

Evesham - brewing has been very sporadic since the fusion of the Green Dragon and the adjacent Giddings on Cowl Street into the Blue Maze back in 2003. But there are now reports that regular brewing could restart after current work on a new floor in the brewhouse is completed. (24 Apr 07)

From ShakesBeer No. 32 (March 2007)

North Cotswold - John Pilling's beers have been successfully received in Banbury. CAMRA's Banbury Beer festival featured IPA (10.0%) while Ditchford Farm Ale (5.2%) was featured at the Woolpack. (27 Mar 07).

Wizard - early January saw Mike Garner announce that he is to relocate the brewery to Ilfracombe in Devon. It was planned to complete the move by the end of February, but it saw out its fourth anniversary adjacent to the Norman Knight pub at Whichford, where it started in March 2003. The move is still going ahead, but waits upon completion of property transactions. (27 Mar 07)

January is a cruel month: hard on the heels of the Wizard announcement came news of the closure of Bidford-based Bard's Brewery. Derek Hawyes called time on the operation in mid January: most of the equipment has already gone to the Red Rock Brewery in Devon, with the cold store going to Conway Brewery, the bottling equipment to Wizard, and bottles, boxes etc has to Tunnel. So it’s some consolation to know that other micros are benefitting from the Brad's demise! Perhaps the last appearance of Derek's beers was The Scottish Ale (4.6%), still on sale at the Blue Boar, Binton on January 28th.(30 Jan 07)

North Cotswold - Ditchford Farm Ale (5.2%) and Hung Drawn & Portered (5.0%) have joined Pig Brook Bitter (3.8%) as year round brews. The monthly specials will continue in 2007 with 6 the same as last year and six new brews, including an all-malt lager (17 Jan 07).

Purity Brewing Co - Pure Ubu (4.5%) is now available in bottles. The beer was launched by Alcester town Mayor, Eric Payne, at this years St Nicholas Night Street Market and parade on 6th December. The brewery had an outdoor bar behind the church, and customers had a chance to meet new Head Brewer, Florent Violan. (06 Dec 06).

From ShakesBeer No. 31 (November 2006)

Shakespeare's Brewery - from November will trade under the new name of Bard's Brewery. Though they would rather not change their name, it seems they have little choice as an Austrian company has registered the Trademark "Royal Shakespeare" and evidently sees Warwickshire's smallest brewery as a threat to their brand and reputation. Over the coming weeks, Derek Hawyes will be changing all of the promotional material, pump clips etc but for a while there will be both Shakespeare's and Bard's material about. Noble Fool (3.9%) is now a regular at the Old Thatch Tavern in Stratford, while Taming of the Brew (4.3%) is regular at the Blue Boar, Binton. (08 Nov 06)

North Cotswold - The beers are now appearing at Farmers' Markets in Stratford, Coventry, Warwick, Leamington and Stow-on-the-Wold, and are now on the approved list for Punch Taverns and Enterprise Inns for the West and Wales. The visitors centre has now been completed. Ginger Glow 4.3% has been ordered by the Three Tuns in Alcester, and the beers will appear in no fewer that three Shipston pubs: the Black Horse, the White Bear and the Horseshoe. And Jon will be at the brewery on Christmas day to brew a 15% Imperial Russian Stout! (18 Oct 06).

Purity Brewing Co - Pure Ubu (4.5%) has added another award to its list of achievements. It gained the title of Fastest Selling Beer at CAMRA's Harbury Beer Festival in September. The end of October sees the arrival of new head brewer, Florent Vialan (known as Flo), who has previously brewed with Larkins in Kent, and before that with Archers of Swindon. But at the moment there are no plans afoot to extend the range of beers beyond two. (27 Sep 06).

From ShakesBeer No. 30 (October 2006)

North Cotswold - the beers are now available in about 25 Wetherspoons outlets in the West Midlands area, and Jon has hopes that the Golden Bee in Stratford may soon join the list. He is now brewing house beers for a couple of pubs: Plough Ale (X.X%) for the Plough at Stretton-on-Fosse, and Churchill Ale (X.X%) for the Churchill at Paxford, Glos.
An Imperial Russian Stout at something like 15% ABV may be on the cards shortly. The Smoked Maple Porter (4.0%) will spend two months in former whisky casks before being released to pubs for November. Mayfair Mild (4.1%) may be brewed all year round, rather than just for May. The number of bottled beers continues to expand, with Hung, Drawn & Portered (5.0%) joining the range: Vinology wine merchants in Henley Street, Stratford now stocks ten of his beers, which are also available from selected Farmers' Markets and similar events.
A new visitors centre at the brewery will be opening shortly. Jon also hopes to stage a Beer and Music festival at a nearby farm in April or May 2007. As well as 40-50 beers and ciders there will be 6 bands performing in the barn and marquees, and camping facilities will be available. (19 Sep 06).

Shakespeare's Brewery - their beers have appeared quite frequently in the Old Thatch Tavern in Stratford, as well as at the Old Swanne Inne, Evesham and the Case is Altered near Hatton. Three kils of Noble Fool (3.9%) were ordered by CAMRA's Great British Beer Festival and a cask was donated to the Hook Norton charity beer festival. Derek has now been accredited by CAMRA's Real Ale in a Bottle scheme and the beers will appear in CAMRA's Good Bottled Beer Guide. A new brew Tumbledown (5.0%) won silver medal at September's Harbury Beer Festival. (19 Sep 06) `

Frankton Bagby - ceased brewing in June and the Old Smithy pub has been sold to a chain. Founded in 1999, it has brewed some memorable beers including a 7% Christmas Pudding Ale. Following the closure of Walsh's Bakehouse Brewery earlier this year, there are now only 10 active breweries in Warwickshire, of which four are within the Shakespeare branch area. (20 Aug 06)

Wizard - Druid's Fluid (5.0%) was champion beer at the Hook Norton Beer Festival for the second consecutive year. Several of the beers are available in bottled form from the pub and also from S H Jones in Banbury, and they may eventually find their way into selected Waitrose outlets. Meanwhile no less than four of the beers are available at the brewery tap, the Norman Knight at Whichford (19 Aug 06)

Hook Norton - the autumn seasonal brew is Copper Ale (4.8)%, a premium, dark red ale with a strong, dry and slightly spicy palate and aftertaste, containing Maris Otter pale ale, aromatic, amber and enzymic malts together with a mix of Fuggles, Goldings and Challenger hops, based on a recipe used to create Celebration Ale for the brewery’s 150 anniversary in 1999. Guests for September are St Austell Tribute (4.2%), and Charles Wells Bombardier (4.3)%, while October sees Crouch Vale Brewers Gold (4.0)%, and Morlands Old Speckled Hen (4.5)%, and November brings Fuller’s London Pride (4.1)%, and Castle Rock Harvest Pale (3.8)%, to selected Hooky pubs. (16 Aug 06)

Cannon Royall - have brewed a special beer to celebrate the fact that the Rector of Alcester and founder member of Shakespeare branch, The Rev^d David Capron, has recently acquired another five parishes to add to his existing three, leading a team of lay readers and retired clergy. This arrangement is known as a "Minster", and so is the beer. (06 Aug 06).

From ShakesBeer No. 29 (August 2006)

Hook Norton - Cotswold Lion is a special brew to celebrate 40 years of the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), and has been produced in partnership with the Cotswolds Conservation Board. As well as their own pubs, some 300 other pubs and off-licenses throughout the AONB will be stocking the pale fruit ale, which is available in both draught and bottled versions. For July and August Hook's seasonal beer is Haymaker (5.0%): brewed from a blend of Maris Otter and Cara malts and a mix of Fuggles, Goldings and Challenger hops, brewer James Clarke says it's "like sunshine dancing on the tongue". The outgoing seasonal ale Hooky Gold (4.2%), was so successful that it could soon be made available in bottled form. Guests for July are Brains Reverend James (4.5%) and Ringwood Fortyniner, (4.9%), while August sees Everards Sunchaser, (4.0%) and Highgate Fat Catz, (4.8%) available in selected Hooky pubs. (11 Jul 06).

Shakespeare's Brewery - has now also made an appearance in Wetherspoons Golden Bee in Stratford, as well as at the Fish and Anchor, Offenham and Farmers Markets in Stratford, Bromsgrove and Leamington. Bottling started in late May, and Derek is applying for accreditation to CAMRA's Real Ale in a Bottle scheme. Takeaway beers are also available from the new Vinology wine merchants in Henley Street, Stratford. (30 May 06)

Purity Brewing Co - Pure Ubu (4.5%) gained the silver medal in the Champion Cheese Beer of Warwickshire held at the Newbold Comyn Arms in Leamington in April. The beers are now available in 9-pint mini-casks from the brewery and the website, as well as the Farmer's Markets at Stratford and Leamington. The environmetally friendly effulent treatment system is now fully operational. Covering 2 acres it includes a settlement pit; an oxidation pond; swale ditches; a chinampa ditch; and reed beds. Willows and hazels are now also established (10 May 06).

From ShakesBeer No. 28 (March 2006)

North Cotswold - the beers are spreading far and wide, with regular outlets now in Leicestershire, Derbyshire, Manchester, Devon and Somerset. And they can also be seen at the following CAMRA beer festivals: Coventry, Cambridge, Banbury, Worcester, Cotswold, and hopefully at the national Great British Beer Festival. Many of the range are now also available in bottled form. (22 Mar 06)

Shakespeare's Brewery - their beers have been seen in Wetherspoons pubs in Evesham and Leamington, as well as at the Case Is Altered, Five Ways. They also seem to be making a splash at pub beer festivals - three Shakespeare beers were spotted at the Royal Oak at Gretton, and no fewer than four at the Red Lion, Bromsgrove. We also hear that a bottling facility is now up and running. (10 Mar 06)

Purity Brewing Co - a deal has been agreed to supply Wetherspoons with Purity products, and has already borne fruit locally, with the appearance of both Pure Gold (3.8%) and Pure Ubu (4.5%) at the Old Swanne Inne, Evesham, in late January. December and January saw appearances on Saga FM, The Bear FM, and BBC Radio Coventry and Warwickshire, as well as coverage in the Alcester Chronicle and the Birmingham Post. (20 Jan 06).

North Cotswold - Jon Pilling has revealed his list of 12 seasonal ales produced in rotation throughout the year, which includes a couple of established names. Genesis (4.0%), the beer that started the brewery, is the July offering, and the 6.0% Blitzen features in December. The other beers are:

• Resolution (4.0%), January, a well hopped, chestnut coloured ale;
• Cockles Of Your Heart (4.5%), February, lightly hopped and fruity with roasted notes;
• Spring In Your Step (4.0%), March, a light refreshing ale, brewed with lemon zest;
• Isambard Kingdom Brown Ale (4.0%), April, dry and hoppy with a well-rounded malty finish;
• Nettle Ale (3.8%), May, a light coloured bitter, using an unusual blend of hops and nettles;
• Vanilla Bumble Bee (4.5%), June, a pale, balanced wheat beer with local honey and a touch of vanilla;
• Cotswold IPA (9.0%), August, 9 months old when you drink it. A classic bitter, very pale, dry hopped;
• Plum Sucker (4.5%), September, a fruity little number brewed using fresh plums!.;
• Ginger Ale (4.3%), October, an old style brew; rich and warming with crystallised and root ginger.;
• Smoked Maple Porter (4.0%), November, a dark rich porter with German smoked malt and the sweetness of maple syrup.

Purity Brewing Co - the first appearance of Pure UBU (4.5%), at the Fleece, Bretforton was a runaway success: it went on sale on Friday evening, and had sold out by Saturday afternoon. We also hear that Pure Gold (3.8%) may become a regular at the Holly Bush, Alcester (14 Dec 05)

Shakespeare's Brewery - following initial reaction, Noble Fool has had its strength lowered slightly to 3.9% from the previous 4.0/4.1%, and is expected shortly at the Turks Head, Alcester. Taming of the Brew (4.3%) is another new ale, which should make its debut at the Howard Arms, Ilmington. Other early outlets for Noble Fool (4.0%) and The Scottish Ale (4.6%) are the Holly Bush, Alcester, the Round Of Gras, Badsey and the Fleece, Bretforton. (14 Dec 05)

Shakespeare's Brewery - probably the first outlet within the Shakespeare branch area to stock the brewery's products was the Howard Arms, Ilmington, which had The Scottish Ale (4.6%) as a guest in early December. (10 Dec 05)

Purity Brewing Co - brewing commenced in October, with the two beers being Pure Gold (3.8%), a refreshing Golden ale made with premium quality English Maris Otter Malt and East Kent Golding and Styrian Golding Hops, and Pure UBU (4.5%), a distinctive premium amber coloured beer, crafted from premium quality English Maris Otter, Crystal & Black Malts with Challenger and Cascade hops. The Fleece, Bretforton, is perhaps the first local pub with the beers. (05 Dec 05)

Shakespeare's Brewery - according to the quaffale website, brewing commenced in September, and Derek Hawyes has already collected a gold medal - at CAMRA's Nottingham Beer Festival in late October, Tempest (5.5%) collected the top prize in the Porters, Strong Milds, Old Ales and Stouts section. The first three pubs to stock the beers are the Wellington in Birmingham, the Coach and Horses at Weatheroak Hill and the Weighbridge in Alvechurch There are hopes that the beers will also be available in some local outlets by Christmas. (21 Nov 05)

Wizard - more prizes for the Whichford Wizards: - after its success at the Warwickshire Breweries Barbeque Beer of the Year Festival, One For The Toad (4.0%), also hopped off with the special award for first beer to sell out at Harbury Beer Festival. Not to be outdone, Mother-in-Law (4.2%) took top place at the Shipston Beer Festival in September, with Druid's Fluid (5.0%) claiming second. (21 Oct 05)

Shakespeare's Brewery - is about to start production at last. We reported in February that it hoped to be brewing by March, but the search for premises proved extremely difficult. Test brewing finally got under way in Bidford in mid-September. Derek Hawyes plans to start off with three beers: a light ale, a porter and a traditional Scottish 70/- ale. Other specials are planned throughout the year. (15 Sep 05)

North Cotswold - Jon Pilling is to stop producing Genesis (4.0%), the beer that started the brewery, on a regular basis; however, it will still be brewed occasionally as one of 12 seasonal ales produced in rotation throughout the year. Locally-produced beer sausages are available at the brewery, at the Volunteer in Chipping Campden, the Queens Head, Sedgeberrow, and Jon hopes to clinch a deal with a supermarket soon. He is also hoping to be able to run a beer festival at the brewery some time in May 2006: this would feature about 40 beers, plus ciders and live music.(14 Sep 05)

From ShakesBeer No. 26 (Sept 2005)

Wizard - a summer of content for Mike Garner: White Witch (4.5%) won Best Beer at the Chadlington Beer Festival in June. July brought two further victories, with Druid's Fluid (5.0%) taking the honours at the Hook Norton Beer Festival and One For The Toad (4.0%) cleaning up at the Warwickshire Breweries Barbeque Beer of the Year Festival. Meanwhile no less than four of the beers are available at the brewery tap, the Norman Knight at Whichford (17 Aug 05)

North Cotswold - Stour Stout (5.0%), Summer Solstice (4.5%) and Blitzen will be available in bottled form from 18th July. In the meantime Jon Pilling has acquired an off-sales licence, which allows him to retail beer at the brewery. (22 Jun 05)

Purity Brewing Co - construction work carries on apace at the purpose-built brewery buildings. The 20-barrel plant is scheduled for installation in September, with brewing due to commence in October. (08 Jun 05)

From ShakesBeer No. 25 (April 2005)

North Cotswold - after its success at Tewkesbury, Hung, Drawn & Portered (5.0%) also came 2nd in the Beer of the Festival competition at CAMRA's Leicester Beer Festival in early mid-March. Outlets now exceed 20: new ones include the Bakers Arms, Chipping Campden; Ebrington Arms, Ebrington; Restoration, Sudeley Arms and Swan, Gloucester; Royal Oak, Gretton; Plough, Prestbury; George and White Bear, Tewkesbury; Pheasant, Toddington; Kings Arms, Bledington (Oxon); Cottage, Ashorne (Warks); Round of Gras, Badsey, Fox & Hounds, Gt Wolford, and Queens Head, Sedgeberrow. Jon has now opened a hospitality area for pre-booked brewery visits, and has also set up an agency The Happy Apple to distribute cider from small producers in the area. (31 Mar 05)

Shakespeare's Brewery - according to the Quaffale website's Future Breweries page, this brewery in Stratford expects to be in production by March 2005. (16 Feb 05)

North Cotswold - new owner Jon Pilling has already started producing new beers to add to the present range. New outlets include the Farriers Arms in Todenham (Glos) and the Plough at Stretton-on Fosse. Pigbrook is a new 3.8% session bitter to join the 4.0% Genesis. Seasonal beers start the year with Hung, Drawn & Portered (5.0%) in January & February. This came 2nd in the Beer of the Festival competition at CAMRA's Tewkesbury Winter Beer Festival in early February. March and April sees Stour Stout (5.0%), followed by Mayfair Mild (4.1%) and then Summer Solstice (4.5%). Winter Solstice weighs in at 4.6% while Blitzen (6.5) is available in November and December and is best described as "liquid Christmas pudding". (15 Feb 05)

Purity Brewing Co - Paul Halsey and James Minkin both have had extensive involvement in the pub trade for a few years, before setting up the company in 2004 on a farm just outside Studley. The first products are expected to go on sale in late summer of this year. The purpose-built brewery buildings house a 20-barrel plant and a visitor centre, which will sell mini-casks and bottled versions of the beers. The farm also provides the brewery with a source of organic barley, giving more control over the product. Only two beers are planned, with a target market of independent free houses and the smaller pub chains. (08 Jan 05)

North Cotswold - a sale has now been agreed between founder-brewer Dave Tilbrook and Jon Pilling. Local members may remember Jon as brewer at Cox's Yard, where he produced some excellent ales. We understand Jon intends to maintain the present range and introduce some of his own beers. (07 Dec 04)

Warwickshire Beer Co - are currently producing a new bottled beer, Evesham Bitter (5.0%) which is available exclusively at the Country larder at Evesham garden centre. (6 Dec 04)

Purity Brewing Co - we have heard that planning permission has now been granted and the 20-barrel plant should come on stream about June 2005 with its two planned beers. (05 Dec 04)

North Cotswold - we hear that the brewery is on the market, preferably as a going concern, but possibly just the 10-barrel plant. Brewer Dave Tilbrook is reported to be emigrating to Bali, possibly to brew there (07 Nov 04)

Purity Brewing Co - is a new venture, based at Spernal, which hopes to commence production around the middle of next year. The brewery will have a substantial capacity, although just two beers are planned initially. (05 Nov 04)

Wizard - following the successful quadrupling of capacity, Wizard ales are now starting to make their appearance in pubs in and around the Shakespeare area. Sightings have been reported at the Bakers Arms, Broad Campden, the Brandy Cask, Pershore; the Fleece, Bretforton and the West End,Stratford. (05 Nov 04)

Stratford - we have been informed of someone looking to set up a 2½ barrel plant in Stratford, looking for suitable (and cheap) premises. Do you know of any? (05 Nov 04)

From ShakesBeer No. 23 (Sep 2004)

Wizard - the equipment for Mike Garner's new five-barrel plant arrived in mid-May and is expected to be up and running very shortly. This will quadruple capacity from the current one-and-a-quarter-barrel plant. (22 May 04)

From ShakesBeer No. 22 (March 2004)

Wizard - Mike Garner has decided that there are not enough hours in the week for running a pub and a brewery, and will therefore hand over the running of the Norman Knight at Whichford to Steve Collett from 19th January. For the last four years Steve has done the bar on Friday nights and covered when Mike was on holiday. Mike intends to become a full time brewer and has a five-barrel brewery on order for delivery in March to replace the present one-and-a-quarter-barrel plant. (10 Jan 04)

Evesham - brewing has been suspended following the transformation of the Green Dragon and the adjacent Giddings on Cowl Street into a single outlet known as the Blue Maze. But there is a possibility of further brews at some stage. (17 Dec 03)

From ShakesBeer No. 21 (December 2003)

Wizard - latest additions to the range are Sorcerer (4.2%) and Bullfrog (4.9%) which is described as "One for the Toad's big brother." Mike Garner has also been selected to brew a special beer to commemorate "Mick the Tick's ten thousandth different real ale: it will be premiered at the Great Welsh Beer Festival. Mike is also looking into the possibility of increasing capacity from the current one-and-a-quarter barrel level. (09 Nov 03)

Wizard - Wizard Ales may now be found regularly at the Lower Red Lion in St Albans as well as at the Norman Knight. They have also appeared at beer festivals in Reading, Newark, Hook Norton, St Albans, Oxford and Nottingham. There now seems to be a range of eight regular beers in addition to one-offs: Apprentice (3.5%), Whichford Best (3.6%), One for the Toad (3.8%), One for Yourself (4.0%), Mother In Law (4.0%), Druid's Fluid (4.0%), Black Magic (4.0%), and White Witch (4.5%). (06 Sep 03)

From ShakesBeer No. 19 (May 2003)

Wizard - housed in a barn to the rear of the Norman Knight, the first brews were on the bar on Thursday 27 March 2003. One for Yourself (4.0%) is an amber coloured beer with a good strong hop flavour, while One for the Toad (3.6%) is a light coloured session beer with a good hop flavour. The beer range is still at the experimental stage, with new beers appearing almost every week. Latest is the dark Mother In Law (4.0%), which is a cross between bitter and old ale styles. (06 Apr 03)

Lower Brailes - we hear that another new brewery may be in the offing, based on a farm near the village. (06 Apr 03)

Fat God's - Andy and Kym Miller had their leaving party at the Queens Head, Iron Cross on 26th March. Fat Gods has brewed its last. (30 Mar 03)

Alcester - Rory Audley-Spence former licensee of the Holly Bush, is looking to set up a new brewery in Alcester. He is at present negotiating both for premises and plant. (24 Mar 03)

From ShakesBeer No. 18 (Feb 2003)

Wizard - Warwickshire's newest micro-brewery is about to make its debut: the Wizard Brewery is based at the Norman Knight pub in Whichford, where Mike Garner has been busy making preparations for nearly a year.

With building work now completed, a 1¼ barrel facilty has been installed. This came from the Swaled Ale Brewery of Gunnerside, near Richmond, North Yorkshire, where Fred Bristow has been brewing high quality, hand-crafted ales since 1995.

Mike's plans are for the Norman Knight to take the vast majority of the production, but he hopes to have enough left over to supply a limited amount of free trade.

As we go to press a trial brew has taken place, but this will probably not be put on sale, as the fermentation seems to have "stuck". The standard brew will probably be a 4.2% bitter under the name of Whichford Bitter, but there are also plans for stronger ales, one of which may rejoice in the sobriquet of Druid's Fluid. (16 Feb 03)

From ShakesBeer No. 17 (Nov 2002)

Fat God's - demand for Andy Miller's beers continues unabated, with extra brewing sessions having to be squeezed in for Fat Gods Bitter most weeks. Limited stocks of the 5.0% Autumn Special are still available. (14 Nov 02)

Cox's Yard - Charles Wells, the owners of Cox's Yard have confirmed that there will be no more brewing there: they are now trying to sell the equipment in the brewery. No more delicious specials like Mucky Duck Mild (4.1%), Bumble Beer (4.1%), Hung, Drawn and Portered (6%), nor the regular brew Jester Ale (3.8%). All were consistently good ales.

Wells blame the closure on a combination factors. The Cox's Yard pub lacked the basic everyday turnover to justify the volume of beer being brewed on site. That led to the need to supply other outlets in the Charles Wells estate and the free trade. But the local council, which owns the freehold, placed very restrictive conditions on vehicle movements at the site. Combined with difficult storage arrangements in the cellar, it meant that the brewery could not operate viably in that way.

Alan Whitbread, CAMRA's Liaison Office for the former brewery said, "Personally I am very sad. Stratford-upon-Avon has just lost its one brewery since those vandals at Whitbread bought and closed the Flowers Brewery in the late 1960s". (09 Nov 02)

From ShakesBeer No. 16 (August 2002)

Church End - will be holding an Open Day on Sunday 29 September 2002 from 3 p.m. - 10.30 p.m. Stewart Elliott and Team invite CAMRA branches to visit the brewery and the newly opened brewery tap for a tour of the brewery, to sample the beer and enjoy a snack and a chat in their company. To prevent the food (or the beer:-)) from running out you will need advanced tickets at the nominal charge of £2. This will entitle you to a complimentary bottle of Nun's Ale. (01 Aug 02)

From ShakesBeer No. 15 (May 2002)

Cox's Yard - brewing has re-commenced: Jon Pilling returned briefly to brew a batch of Jester Ale (3.8%) on May 1st, but it was too late for the Beer Festival at the pub over the May bank holiday weekend. It is not known when the next brew might occur. (30 Apr 02)

Warwickshire Beer Co - is holding an open day at the Cubbington brewery on Saturday 20th July from 10.00 onwards. CAMRA members are welcome. (26 Apr 02)

From ShakesBeer No. 14 (February 2002)

Fat God's - the brewery is up for sale, as is the adjoining Queen's Head, either together or separately. Andy Miller cites health problems and a desire for a five-day week as the main reasons for his decision. The pub is being marketed without the brewery: a separate deal will consist of brewery equipment, recipes, brands and customer list, but no premises. (09 Jan 02)

From ShakesBeer No. 13 (November 2001)

Cox's Yard - Jon Pilling's Christmas beer this year is a 6.0% dark porter to be known as Hung, Drawn and Portered, and will be launched on December 1st. For the Christmas trade, it will be available to take away in 9, 18 or 36-pint containers, as will the regular beers, Jester Ale (3.8%) and Juggler (4.6%).
Bumble Beer (5.0%) won Third Prize at the Harbury Beer Festival in September.
There are plans to brew Mucky Duck Mild (4.1%) again next year for the May Beer Festival at the pub. (28 Nov 01)

Hook Norton - the brewery are reported to be looking to acquire pub(s) in the Stratford/Alcester area. Pubs rumoured to be on the market include the Three Tuns and the Turks Head in Alcester and the Salmon Tail in Stratford (03 Nov 01)

From ShakesBeer No. 12 (August 2001)

Fat God's - Godswallop is Andy Miller's latest beer. This hefty 5-per center has replaced the seasonal ales. Fat God's Mild is also available on handpump at the Queen's Head. (22 Aug 01)

Cox's Yard - brewer Jon Pilling unveiled another new beer on 3rd August. The new Bumble Beer is a wheat beer with a honey flavour from local Fosseway Honey. Pale and light, it features Northdown and Fuggles hops and a hint of coriander. Although it is a hefty 5.0%, it does not have the cloying sweetness usually associated with beers of this strength. It will be making an appearance at the St Albans Beer Festival and the Harbury Beer Festival (where it will have a little vanilla added. (03 Aug 01)

From ShakesBeer No. 11 (May 2001)

Fat God's - brewing of seasonal ales has been halted temporarily while a new Fermenting Vessel is installed in the brewery. This will bring capacity up to 11 barrels. (13 May 01)

Evesham - the latest news is that brewing has recommenced and the Green Dragon will again have Evesham ales on sale. Steve Murphy is apparently hoping to persuade his son to join him in brewing. (13 May 01)

Coventry Beer Festival - among the first beers to sell out over the weekend were four from Frankton Bagby, and Juggler from our own Cox's Yard. (27 Apr 01)

Warwickshire Beer Co - two new fermentation vessels at the Cubbington site will increase capacity to 26 barrels. The bottled Warwick Market Ale (4.9%) is available in local Tesco and Sainsbury outlets.(26 Mar 01)

Evesham - we hear that brewing has recently been sporadic, and the Green Dragon has often had no Evesham ales on sale. On March 13 there was no real ale, and on St Patrick's Day the only real offering was Fat God's Bitter (3.6%). (18 Mar 01)

North Cotswold - Genesis (4.0%) continues to be a regular beer at the Volunteer in Chipping Campden, as does Stanway Stanney Bitter (4.5%). (15 Mar 01)

Stanway - Cotteswold Gold (3.9%) will be available this year from the beginning of May. Apart from the odd guest appearance at a pub in Birmingham, the beer is brewed exclusively for the Crown & Trumpet in Broadway, and will be on sale till September. (15 Mar 01)

Cox's Yard - the new dark mild will be known as Mucky Duck Mild. Weighing in at 4.1%, this Black country style mild will make its debut at the brewery's first ever beer festival to be held on 3rd - 5th May. There will also be a bottled version of Jester, known as Caught Jester, which will be bottled by Grainstore Brewery of Oakham, and a wheat beer of 4.8% will appear in July. (14 Mar 01)

From ShakesBeer No. 10 (Feb 2001)

Cox's Yard - a new dark Black country style mild will be unveiled at the brewery's first ever beer festival to be held on 3rd - 5th May. Two other milds will be available from Grainstore and Wicked Hathern breweries; two new beers Copper and First Light from Hook Norton, and Cox's Yard own regulars Jester and Juggler. In total there will be 28 beers from Cox's Yard, Church End, Fat Gods, Frankton Bagby, Grainstore, Hobsons, Hook Norton, Hop Back, Old Luxters, Wells, Wicked Hathern and Wyre Piddle.(27 Feb 01)

Wetherspoons - in ShakesBeer 10, we said conversion work on their new outlet in Sheep Street, Stratford was planned to start in November, but it did not actually start until mid-February. But it still could be open by the time ShakesBeer 11 appears at the end of May. (25 Feb 01)

Cox's Yard - Jon Pilling's first new beer was unveiled on 6th December. The 5.2% Christmas ale was named Blitzen, and the first tasting produced very favourable reports. More beers are planned for 2001. Possibilities include a draught Brown Ale for spring, a Black Country-style mild for May, and maybe a Wheat Beer or an IPA or a real lager for the summer. There are also plans for a bottle-conditioned version of Jester at just under 5% to be named Caught Jester. (18 Jan 01)

From ShakesBeer No. 9 (Nov 2000)

Cox's Yard - have broken with tradition and appointed their first male Head Brewer! After Sarah-Jane Anderson and Anna Davis, the post is now filled by Jon Pilling, who has worked for the Firkin chain and helped set up the Wicked Hathern Brewery in Loughborough. Jon is a keen CAMRA member, having served on a tasting panel at the Great British Beer Festival. As well as continuing to brew Jester Ale (3.8%) and Juggler (4.6%), a Christmas ale is on the drawing board. At 5.2% ABV it will be flavoured with dried fruit, fresh ginger, cinnamon and nutmeg. There will also be a handful of Goldings hops added to each cask for a full flavour and aroma. It will be a winter warmer - smooth, rich and flavoursome, and its likely name is Blitzen. (18 Nov 00)

Wetherspoons - as reported in ShakesBeer 4 in August 1999, Wetherspoons have plans to open in Sheep Street, Stratford. A planning application for the former dentist's surgery at 42 Sheep Street was approved by local planners in October, and conversion work is planned to start in November. (30 Oct 00)

From ShakesBeer No. 8 (Aug 2000)

Fat God's - Porter of the Vale (4.1%) is one of the five finalists for in the Stouts/Porters section of West Midlands Beer of the Year. Entrants will be judged at the Burton-on-Trent Beer Festival to be held 21-23 September. Andy recently had a couple of problems with the brewing and had to use a different yeast which produced a dryer aftertaste in his beers. Thankfully Fat Gods is now back on track with its old yeast supplier and the situation has been remedied. (02 Jul 00)

The Second Worcester Beer and Cider Festival, to be held on Worcester Racecourse on 17th to 20th August will feature a strong contingent of local beers. Included in the planned lineup of 103 beers are:

• Brandy Cask Whistling Joe (3.6%), Brandy Snapper (4.0%), and John Baker (4.8%)
• Church End Gravediggers (3.8%), Pooh Beer (4.3%), and Enigmatic Variations (4.5%), a festival special
• Fat God's Porter of the Vale (4.3%), Kym Miller's Lager (4.3%), and Merry Miller's Summer Sensation (4.3%)
• Stanway Stanney Bitter (4.5%)
• Weatheroak Light Oak (3.6%), and TTT (5.1%)

Butcher's Yard - is a new micro recently started in Chipping Norton by Neil Henry, former head brewer for Wychwood. Situated in previously disused outbuildings behind local butcher John Kench's shop, the five-barrel plant uses old dairy equipment from a farm in Yorkshire. Chippy Best Bitter has already been spotted in several local pubs, including the nearby Norman Knight at Whichford. (03 Jul 00)

Fat God's - Fat God's Draught Mild (4.0%) came joint second with Cannon Royal Fruiterers Mild (3.7%) in the Milds section of the West Midlands Beer of the Year competition. Milds were judged at the Dudley Beer Festival held 8-10 June (02 Jul 00)

Fat God's - Two specially blended beers were available for the Fat Gods Beer Festival: Showtime (3.9%) and Barking Mad Bitter a 4.2% blend of Porter of the Vale (4.1%) and Merry Miller's Summer Sensation (4.3%), were on sale, while Holly Bush Bitter (3.6%) was blended for the Holly Bush Beer Festival 2000. (02 Jul 00)

North Cotswold - has recently upgraded his plant from two-and-a half to ten barrels capacity (07 Jun 00)

Fat God's - two of Andy Miller's beers have been selected as finalists for West Midlands Beer of the Year. Fat God's Draught Mild (4.0%) is one of five milds in the finals, while Porter of the Vale (4.1%) is in the Stout/Porter section. Section winners will be chosen at forthcoming CAMRA beer festivals (Special Bitters at Harbury Beer Festival in September), with the overall winner chosen at the Netherton Winter Ales Fayre in late November.
Other local finalists are Church End Gravediggers (Milds), Warwickshire Best Bitter (Bitters), Weatheroak Lock, Stock & Straight from the Barrel (Specials), Church End Stout Coffin (Stouts/Porters), Frankton Bagby Christmas Pudding Ale (Winter Ales), and Church End Rugby (Bottle Conditioned). (01 Jun 00)

From ShakesBeer No. 7 (May 2000)

Fat God's - a lager brewed to CAMRA's traditional beer standards is now available. Kym Miller's Lager is on sale at the Queen's Head. It was brewed to celebrate landlady Kym's 40th birthday, and there are hopes that it will become a permanent feature. The pub and brewery now have a website at www.fatgodsbrewery.co.uk. (30 Apr 00)

Fat God's - Andy Miller's latest beer is Draught Mild (4.0%). A dry and hoppy dark mild, it is currently being sold under pressure at the Queen's Head, as the turnover is not enough for traditional dispense. But other pubs are serving it traditionally - the Volunteer in Chipping Campden has turned over a firkin a week for three weeks. There are also plans to produce a cask-conditioned lager around the 5% mark to celebrate Kym's upcoming 40th birthday. The pub and brewery now have a website at www.fatgodsbrewery.co.uk. (25 Mar 00)

Cox's Yard - the latest beer from Anna Davis is The Juggler, which weighs in at 4.6% ABV. Reports from people who have tasted it so far have been very positive (24 Mar 00)

Judges - CAMRA's Brewery Liaison Officer, Michael Allsopp, reports that the latest information is that the new owner is transferring the brewery from Rugby to the Birmingham area. (15 Jan 00)

Warwickshire Beer Co - Black Jack (6.0%) was produced for the millennium. Dark and bitter, it used 4 hop varieties. They have also been commissioned by Warwick District Council to produce a non-bottle-conditioned beer to celebrate the refurbishment of the town's Market Place. Warwick Market Ale (4.9%) should also be available in the local Tesco.(10 Jan 00)

Church End - the brewery is till looking to buy a pub, and in the meantime is working very close to full capacity. (09 Jan 00)

Frankton Bagby produced Christmas Pudding Ale at a hefty 7.0%, which sold for only £1.55 at the Town and Country Club in Rugby. They are also to brew two beers for the Rugby Beer Festival in late February. (06 Jan 00)

J D Wetherspoon - are joing the Cask Marque scheme, which is dedicated to improving the quality of cask ale in pubs. All Wetherspoon outlets will be visited by Cask Marque inspectors during January and February, when their pubs are featuring up to 100 real ales, including three Champion Beers from the Great British Beer Festival 1999 - Timothy Taylor Landlord (4.3%), Oakham JHB (3.8%) and Caledonian Deuchars IPA (3.8%) (06 Jan 00)

Fat God's - Andy Miller has produced a Millennium beer, rejoicing in the name of Crash Bang Wollop at 4.3%. (23 Dec 99)

Bateman's - the pump clip for their 5% Christmas beer, Rosey Nosey, features a flashing red light. It is rumoured that some of these have been accidentally activated while being posted to pubs, putting local police and sorting offices on red alert! (9 Dec 99)

Cox's Yard - CAMRA members attending the December Bridgefoot Bash meeting at the Cox's Yard pub were greeted by a new beer from Anna Davis. Millennium Mash is a hefty 5.2% dark beer, but avoids the sweetness often associated with beers of this strength. It has noticeable hop bitterness, and has been formulated to be a big brother to Jester Ale (3.8%), and is priced at £2.04 per pint in the pub, and is also available to take away. (8 Dec 99)

From ShakesBeer No. 5 (Nov 1999)

Cox's Yard - Anna Davis, who recently gained a degree from Bath University is now based permanently in Stratford and is brewing twice a week. There are plans to brew two new beers this winter, including a special brew to mark the relaunch of the restaurant attached to the Cox's Yard pub.(18 Oct 99)

Worcester Beer Festival - Shakespeare area brewers were well represented at the August festival. Asum Gold from Evesham Brewery, Morris Dancer and Thunder & Lightning from Fat God's, and Genesis from North Cotswold were among the 101 beers, 11 ciders and 5 perries available. Beer of the festival was Shakemantle Ginger Ale (5.0%) by the Freeminer Brewery; Cannon Royall's Fruiterers Mild was a runner-up and Brandy Cask's Whistling Joe received an honourable mention. (16 Oct 99)

Judges - former brewer Graham Judge was jailed for nine months at Warwick Crown Court for failing to pay £140,000 in VAT and Excise Duty. (30 Aug 99)

Cox's Yard - was one of the local producers selling their wares at the Farmers Market held on Rother Street. But they were not the only brewer there - Teme Valley Brewery of Knightwick, Worcs, were also represented with takeaway bottled and draught beers. (15 Aug 99)

From ShakesBeer No. 4 (Aug 1999)

Church End - supplied two beers to CAMRA's Great British Beer Festival at Kensington Olympia in August. What the Fox's Hat and Wheat-a-Bix were the products featured. Other local beers appearing at the GBBF were White Knight from Goffs of Winchcombe and Light Oak from Weatheroak of Alvechurch. (5 Aug 99)

Wetherspoons - after failing to get permission for the Waterside site in Stratford, Wetherspoons now have plans to open in Sheep Street instead. Meanwhile work is well under way on their new outlet on Church Green in Redditch. (5 Aug 99)

Frankton Bagby - as well as the three regular beers from the Church Lawford brewers, seasonal beers have now started to appear. Midsummer Madness, a pale 3.8% summer session beer was spotted in the Old Fourpenny Shop in Warwick and the Golden Cross at Ardens Grafton in early August. (7 Aug 99)

Ushers - have acquired M.A.D. O'Rourke's Little Pub Company chain. Both the Little Lark in Studley and the Little Sauce Factory in Worcester now boast Ushers' signs outside. (2 Aug 99)

Marstons - in the shakeout following their takeover by Banks's, all Marstons pubs south of the M42 were to have been sold on to Greene King. But special conditions in the lease mean that Banks's will be keeping the Lamplighter on Rother Street, Stratford as a Marston's pub. Norton Grange also continues to sell only Marstons beers but the Stag at Redhill now boasts Greene King IPA and Abbot as well as Pedigree and a guest beer. (19 July 99)

Punch Taverns - while waiting to see how their bid for Allied Domecq's pubs fared, Punch snapped up Inn Business in July for £69 million. Earlier this year Inn Business had acquired Trent Taverns, who operated many former Whitbread pubs in the area. Inn Business had planned to re-open the Bulls Head in Bidford-on-Avon some time in October, but no work had been done before the Punch takeover. Former licensees Mary and Ian Sykes took over as managers of the White Lion at Radford Semele for Greenalls in June. (15 July 99)

Judges - the grapevine reports that a buyer has been found for the brewery, which went into receivership at the end of April. No further details are available of this unconfirmed rumour. (10 July 99)

Cox's Yard - brewer Sarah Jane Anderson has parted company with Cox's Yard. At present Tony Davis from the Grainstore Brewery in Oakham is coming over to Stratford once or twice a week to brew the Jester Ale, assisted by his daughter, Anne, who has recently gained a degree in brewing from Bath University. It is not yet clear how long this arrangement will continue. (07 July 99)

Fat God's - Andy Miller produced a new beer, called Tickertyboo for the Queen's Head beer festival in June. Medium coloured with a smooth, hoppy taste, it weighed in at 4.4%. Topping the poll for best beer of the festival was Fat God's Morris Dancer. (30 June 99)