tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5668878573395856147.post4706907890699394700..comments2014-02-03T13:39:20.616+00:00Comments on Turnip Ale: We don't understand Britain's beer revolution!David Turnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01017077771376316618noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5668878573395856147.post-9685028164736949602014-01-06T13:13:36.884+00:002014-01-06T13:13:36.884+00:00Look forward to your next post on this subject whe...Look forward to your next post on this subject when you have obtained more information. As the editor of 'Ullage' - West Berkshire CAMRA newsletter / magazine, I am privileged to get some inside information on local breweries although this does not extend to finances.<br />Taking 3 local small breweries, there is solid evidence of progress.<br />a) West Berkshire Brewery - now operating on a larger scale after moving to new premises (3rd premises within Yattendon area since starting.). The brewery has a strong 'green' ethos. This brewery has a strong local following and brews using English hops and malt. In 2013 a lager and a stout were introduced to the beer range which includes a mild (Maggs' Magnificent) and an award winning strong bitter (Dr Hexter's Healer). A 'Good Old Boys Club' was started in 2013 with members entitled to regular brewery tours including latest beers to sample. The brewery has one tied pub - the Rising Sun in Stockcross, near Newbury. New chairman David Bruce, who lives in Berkshire and has extensive experience of running pub companies has recently purchased shares in the company (during 2013). News has emerged in 2014 that the founders of the brewery are planning to sell some of their shares, giving investors with £1000 available the chance to buy a share in the brewery.<br />b) Two Cocks Brewery - This microbrewery was established as an additional enterprise to a small farm with the equipment in one end of a barn (with brewing capacity increased after a year enabling the original equipment to be sold to enable the Five Bells, Wickham, Berkshire, pub an opportunity to establish their own microbrewery during 2014). A marketing background and exposure at the 1st Craft Beer Rising beer festival and on TV (Grand Designs - Channel 4) has enabled the brewery to expand its distribution into several London pubs and beer retailers as well as the local market. Sales of bottled beer, with a distinctive real feather protruding from behind the label are an important component of overall sales. A recent beer 1643 Viscount which is pale and less bitter was brewed with the thought that it might appeal to wine drinkers as well as beer drinkers.<br />c) Siren Craft Brew - established less than a year ago in Finchampstead, this brewery is already recognised internationally as one to watch. They started off in a big way with large capacity brewing vessels and a launch at the Craft Beer Co pub in Clerkenwell. Having an American brewer with experience of brewing in the USA and Denmark means many of their beers are well hopped with American hops. Distinctive features include stylish labels, the use of different types of wooden barrels for ageing beers and establishing competitions to find new beers to brew. Some beers are flavoured with addtional ingredients eg coffee (Broken Dream). Beers are brewed for cask and keg - including the 'one way' kegs that make exporting feasible. Siren Craft Brew beers can already be found in cities with a strong beer culture like Copenhagen and Barcelona.<br />Drawing together some strands from these cases, it would seem that established breweries need to continue innovating and engaging with their customers and that microbreweries need strong marketing skills and / or distinctive beers from the outset to prosper.<br /><br />TimOfNewburyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02224647895500543757noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5668878573395856147.post-42340661283488004322014-01-05T18:45:35.094+00:002014-01-05T18:45:35.094+00:00Of course it is, in what way can it be possible fo...Of course it is, in what way can it be possible for growth in manufacturing against massive decline in retail outlets be anything other than a bubble unless all these new micros are planning a massive export drive in the near future.Markhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15595039296072668714noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5668878573395856147.post-47213518822523406992014-01-05T18:17:45.239+00:002014-01-05T18:17:45.239+00:00Interesting. I've often wondered if this trium...Interesting. I've often wondered if this triumph CAMRA likes to trumpet about is a bubble waiting to burst.Beer Brancheshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09884593570267375021noreply@blogger.com