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The West Berkshire Brewery introduces its special beer for September |
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The Berkshire Downs are a line of chalk hills, part of the North Wessex Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. They have attracted human habitation since prehistoric times. They lie east-west, facing north into the Vale of the White Horse and bounded by the course of the River Kennet to the south, stretching from Streatley - where they give way to the Thames and the Goring Gap - to White Horse Hill and Uffington (now in Oxfordshire). The Ridgeway crosses them and is widely used by walkers, cyclists, and bird watchers. On sunny summer days or on frosty winter ones the views are breathtaking and you can see for miles.The Downs were – and still are – ideal for sheep farming and downland villages such as East Ilsley thrived on the woollen industry. In fact, the village used to hold a large sheep fair in years past. Chalk downland is ideal for growing Maris Otter barley – one of the most famous of the malting barleys.A red-hued beer, Maris Otter malt as always, but with a higher hop rate both for bittering and aroma for the hop picking season which is hopefully sunny and warrants a thirst-quenching beer. |
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| To find out more about the brewery’s “Beer of the Month” visit their website at: www.wbbrew.com. October’s ‘Beer of the Month’ will be Aucherius (4.3%) which refers to the early history of Reading Abbey. |
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| Helen Maggs working on one of our monthly beer pump clips.Helen has designed and painted all of the images used on the pump clips for our monthly beers since 2005. |
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The West Berkshire Brewery is set to become the largest brewery in the county as planning permission is granted |
| The West Berkshire Brewery at Yattendon in Berkshire announced today that it has received planning permission from West Berkshire Council for the development of a new 50 barrel brewery at Home Farm in Frilsham. |
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| The new site will enable the brewery to double its production, creating various new jobs and supporting the local economy. Dave Maggs, owner, said, "We are delighted with the news and are really looking forward to the development of the facility." |
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| Dave continued "The larger brewery will give the company the scope it needs to grow gradually, making the everyday brewing process easier as we will be able to brew more beer in less time. It will also give us more room to operate; improve vehicle access and create some badly needed office and storage space." |
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| The announcement comes just as the brewery prepares to celebrate its 15th anniversary, in August, and as Berkshire Brewery (Scottish Courage) closes - making The West Berkshire Brewery the largest brew house in the county. |
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| The new brewery will take two to three years to complete, but it is hoped that ground work will start this summer with the re-development of the Flour Barn at Home Farm, which is part of Yattendon Estates. |
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| Keen to ensure that the site is environmentally friendly, Dave and his team are working with various organizations to determine the best way to manage the site's drainage system. |
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| Dave said, "We believe that the use of a reed bed and the installation of a small Klargester treatment plant - subject to approval by the Environment Agency - would enhance the disposal of our waste products. This would also complement the way in which we currently recycle our other waste, such as; malted barley grains and excess yeast which goes to a local farmer for pig feed and the spent hops which are used as fertilizer for compositing." |
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| In addition to the obvious improvements for the business, it is hoped that the local community will also benefit as the brewery intends to recruit individuals from the surrounding area to support its growth." |
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| Please note: The brewery's shop in Yattendon will remain to open to the public throughout the planned developments. Opening hours: Monday to Friday from 10am to 4pm and on Saturdays from 10am to 1pm. |
| The West Berkshire Brewery was established by Dave and Helen Maggs in 1995, at the back of the Potkiln pub in Frilsham. A 15 barrel brewery was added in 1999 in Yattendon, which was then replaced in 2006 with a new 20 barrel brewery. |
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| The Brewery is renowned for its awards winning ales, having received more than 25 accreditations in its 15 year existence; the most recent being a Bronze overall in the 2009 Champion Beer of Britain and a Gold in the Strong Bitter category the same year. |
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