Brewery News

Calling All CAMRA Members

17 Sep 2019

If you’re a Brentwood Beer fan and a CAMRA member, can we persuade you to do us a big favour? It won’t take long and we’re told it’s quite painless.

The voting has started in CAMRA’s Champion Beer of Britain competition, one of the most prestigious beer competitions in the World. Although the winners are not due to be announced until the Trade Session of the Great British Beer Festival in London next summer, we really need your help NOW.

Can Brentwood Brewery Count on Your Vote?

CAMRA is calling for as many members as possible to play a vital role in the competition by selecting the beers for final judging at GBBF in August 2020. All you need to do is visit CAMRA’s new, user-friendly online voting platform on their website. Before voting you’ll need to read their Voting Guidelines.

Then head to their Voting Page where you’ll need your membership number and online password in order to sign in. Then you can nominate and vote for your favourite Brentwood beer (we hope).

There is even a short tutorial video to take you through the voting process.

This is your chance to have your say on which beer could ultimately be crowned Champion Beer of Britain 2020.

We hope you’ll support your local brewery and your favourite Brentwood Beer. As the saying goes ‘you have to be in to win it.’ Roland, Ethan and all the brewery team are most grateful for your help.

Love Beer, Love Brentwood

Wonderful Beer, Cheese, Music & Sunshine

24 Aug 2019

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by Wendy

The sun shone, the band, Thirsty Work, played for the entire afternoon and beer fans flocked to our Summer Beer & Cheese Festival (Saturday 17th August.)

“We’d like to thank everyone who came along to make the day such a wonderful success. It has to be one of the best Beer Festivals we’ve ever had. The great weather certainly helped.”

Roland Kannor, MD Brentwood Brewing Company.

Steve Dempsey & Adrian Pallett of *Thirsty Work* | Photo: Wendy Pike

As well as playing live music, Steve Dempsey and Adrian Pallett of duo Thirsty Work, like to brew beer. Assisted by Adrian’s brother Steve, in their spare time the trio brews real ale in a garden cabin in Doddinghurst, giving away their brews to friends. These hobbyist brewers, aka, ‘The Doddinghurst Brewery’ brought along an English Pale Ale, a Golden Wheat Ale and a Sweet Spicy Amber Ale of theirs for festival goers to sample for free. And feedback for their beer was very encouraging.

Cheese expert Brian Lynn from Pilgrims Hatch was kept very busy throughout the day, serving plates of bread and cheese to hungry festival goers.

Brian ‘The Cheese’ Lynn Serving a Selection of Cheeses | Photo: Wendy Pike

There was plenty of draught, keg and bottled Brentwood and Elephant School Beers on offer as well as a new creation, Hopper Strange Thing, which seemed to go down rather well. Also on the beer list was one from our pals at Billericay Brewing Company, Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll.

A Gromit-less ‘Wallace’ Serving Behind the Bar | Photo: Wendy Pike

One half of the celebrity, cheese-loving pair Wallace & Gromit made a brief appearance, pulling pints behind the bar and posing for photographs with Roland and Brian.

“Oooh Lovely Cheese” – Roland Kannor, ‘Wallace’ (David Nicholson) and Brian Lynn at Brentwood Brewery’s Beer & Cheese Festival | Photo: Wendy Pike

Although Gromit was a no-show, the brewery was pleased to welcome so many cute canines to the festival including 15 week old English Bulldog puppy Frank from Hutton with his owner Joshua.

Cute English Bulldog Puppy Frank from Hutton | Photo: Wendy Pike

Honey, All The Way From Bromley in Kent | Photo: Wendy Pike

Rosie (red) & Nala of Colchester | Photo: Wendy Pike

As always there was a relaxed vibe at the festival with visitors enjoying the sunshine, a little cheese, a pint or two and listening to the live music.

Among the brewery’s invited guests were two local organisations – charity Little Doves Christian Pre-School from Navestock and voluntary, not-for-profit, local residents’ group, The Pilgrims Hatch Community Partnership.

L-R Debbie Kannor and Pam Biddulph of Little Doves Christian Pre-School with Cllr Jon Cloke, President of Brentwood Rotary Club, Outside Brentwood Brewery | Photo: Wendy Pike

As President of Brentwood Rotary Club, Cllr Jon Cloke announced at the Beer Festival that Little Doves Christian Pre-School was to be his charity of the year.

Sue Simpson (Vice Chairperson), John Hasselgreen (volunteer) and Roisin Cassels (Chairperson) of The Pilgrims Hatch Community Partnership | Photo: Wendy Pike

Representatives from The Pilgrims Hatch Community Partnership (PHCP) were at the Beer Festival to raise awareness of the group and the work they undertake, like litter picking and bulb planting, to enhance the neighbourhood’s environment.

“We must thank Brian Lynn, Thirsty Work, President of Brentwood Rotary Club Cllr Jon Cloke, Little Doves Christian Pre-School and The Pilgrims Hatch Community Partnership for making our festival such a wonderfully enjoyable community event.”

Roland Kannor, MD Brentwood Brewing Company

Brentwood Brewery’s next beer festival will be Oktoberfest on Saturday 28th September 11am – 5pm. The event is being organised in partnership with Brentwood Landkreis Roth Town Twinning Association and both Brentwood brewed and German beer, from Pyraser Landbrauerei of Thalmässing in Bavaria, will be available.

Love Beer, Love Brentwood

Stinking Bishop! Beer & Cheese Fest Saturday

15 Aug 2019

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by Wendy

We’ve been hard at work taste-testing combinations of cheeses with a variety of our beers to compile a menu of flavour pairing suggestions for our Beer & Cheese Festival which takes place at Brentwood Brewery this Saturday (17th August).

We’ll be open from 11am – 5pm and hope you can join us for fun, as always, a bit of cheese, a pint or two and some live music.

A Varied Selection of Brentwood and Elephant School Beers Will Be Available

Beer & Cheese Pairing Suggestion Menu

We’re offering three pieces of bread and any three cheeses for £5.

As well as a good selection of real ales from Brentwood and Elephant School we’ll also have some port.

Cheese With Bread and A Pint of Brentwood Beer or Glass of Port?

The band Thirsty Work from Doddinghurst will be performing at the brewery between 2pm and 4pm. When they’re not playing, they also brew beer. We loved them at this year’s Brentwood Festival presents Evoke and look forward to seeing their gig at the brewery on Saturday.

We hope you can join us. Please spread the word to your friends and fellow beer lovers.

Love Beer, Love Brentwood

Mustangs, Music & Beer

17 Jun 2019

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by Wendy

Brentwood Brewery’s Summer Beer Festival wasn’t all just about the beer this time.

One of 30 Mustangs at Brentwood Brewery | Photo: Wendy Pike

A visit from members of the British and Belgian Mustang Societies created a spectacle for festival goers to enjoy too – the sight of 30 highly polished Ford Mustangs parked outside the brewery.

Mustangs at Brentwood Brewery | Photo: Wendy Pike

The Mustang owners took a mini tour of the brewery with MD Roland Kannor, before enjoying the festival atmosphere themselves.

“There was so much love for the Mustangs. And there’s nothing like the sound of a six litre engine revving up. Their visit was a truly inspiring experience. I’d love to own a Mustang.”

Roland Kannor, MD Brentwood Brewing Company

Vintage Mustang from Belgium | Photo: Wendy Pike

The Mayor of Brentwood, Cllr Keith Parker and The Mayoress, his wife Frances, joined festival goers for a lunchtime drink and a chat (Saturday 8th June).

J W Ice Cream Company

They also got the chance to sample some locally made ice cream when they visited Tracy and Jay Weekes on their stand. J W Ice Cream Company, based in Grays, makes alcohol infused ice creams and sorbets. The company is currently developing a Brentwood Brewing Company Chockwork Orange ice cream and an Elephant School Sombrero sorbet

Tracey & Jay Weekes of J W Ice Cream Company from Grays

The Soniks

Local band The Soniks entertained everyone in the afternoon, playing their first gig at the brewery. Mark McClaran from Harold Wood (lead vocals and guitar), Paul Campbell from Southend (drums) and Paul Hubbard from Horndon on the Hill (bass guitar and vocals), played well known tunes by groups like The Jam, The Who and Kinks, among others.

The trio, a pure mod, soul and R & B band, will be playing the main stage at The Brentwood Festival presents Evoke on Saturday 13th July. On 11th August they will play at the Animal Aid Festival for Hopefield Animal Sanctuary at Herongate Cricket Green. Their Facebook page has a full list of upcoming gigs.

Enjoying a Pint in the Sunshine | Photo: Wendy Pike

A21 The Charity

Raising awareness for A21, the charity that aims to ‘abolish slavery everywhere forever’, fundraiser Megan Webb took to the microphone to give a short talk ahead of The Soniks’ performance. The anti human trafficking charity had a stand full of information about modern day slavery, explaining how to spot the signs and what to do if you see it.

Megan Webb, Fundraiser for A21 charity aiming to ‘abolish slavery everywhere forever’ Photo: Wendy Pike

Many festival goers were shocked by the statistics. There are millions of slaves in the world today and it’s estimated that just 1% of victims are ever rescued and only 1% of traffickers are ever convicted. And, surprisingly, slavery is a big problem in the UK.

It’s estimated there are between ten and thirteen thousand victims of slavery in the UK. Just over half are adults and 45% are children. Of those forced into exploitation in this country 60% are men, 39% women and 1% transgender. Before becoming enslaved, the common factor they shared was just being vulnerable. More information is available at www.A21.org. (Modern Slavery Hotline: 08000 121 700.)

The Cart Shed Restaurant

Aside from the charity’s hard hitting messages, the atmosphere was relaxed as festival goers enjoyed the variety of cask, keg and bottled Brentwood and Elephant School beers on the ale list. Hot food and snacks served by Will Aldis and Vicky Fitzpatrick of The Cart Restaurant, Epping were also available at the festival.

Supping Some Brentwood Beer | Photo: Wendy Pike

Thanks

“Our thanks to everyone who came along to make the Summer Beer Festival such a fun and enjoyable day. We’re already planning our next do, which is a Beer & Cheese Festival on Saturday 17th August. Hope you can join us.”

Roland Kannor, MD Brentwood Brewing Company

Photo: Wendy Pike

Love Beer, Love Brentwood

Summer Beer Festival on Saturday

05 Jun 2019

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by Wendy

Fabulous Brentwood Beer, freshly cooked food, fast cars, foot-tapping tunes and a good cause sum up our plans for this Saturday’s Summer Beer Festival (8th June). We’re busy getting ready for a fun-filled day and hope you can join us at Brentwood Brewery between 11am and 5pm.

Beer Menu

The Beer List has been confirmed and with a choice of cask, keg and bottled ales, all brewed in Brentwood, there is sure to be a beer to suit your tastes. We’ll have cider, gin, Prosecco, wine and soft drinks too.

Between about 11am and 1pm we’re expecting a visit from The British Mustang Society with their counterparts from Belgium, along with their Mustangs, so for petrol heads and fans of fast cars, there’s likely to be a good photo opportunity in the carpark.

Freshly Cooked Food

As for food, we have freshly cooked, hot food and snacks being served throughout the day by our friends from The Cart Shed Restaurant of Epping. And delicious alcohol infused ice creams from J W Ice Cream Company based in Grays.

The Soniks

From 2 – 4pm there’ll be musical entertainment by The Soniks. Their repertoire usually includes well known tunes from The Who, Small Faces, Kinks, The Jam and Paul Weller. The trio will also be playing the main stage at the Brentwood Festival in July (13th).

Charity

We’re also being joined by A21, a charity whose mission is to abolish slavery everywhere forever. Through awareness raising, intervention and aftercare, their aim is to end human trafficking.

Roland and the Brewery Team hope you can join them for a refreshing summer pint or two, a chat, a laugh and a generally great time.

Love Beer, Love Brentwood

Canine Companions

26 Apr 2019

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by Wendy

It was good to see so many wet noses and waggy tails at the brewery’s Spring Beer Festival. We’ve never seen so many four legged visitors at the brewery before.

First there was Rusty, The Hearing Dog with his owner Sophie. Then, of course, it wouldn’t be a beer festival without an appearance from Rubble the bulldog from Hornchurch. He’s been attending brewery events since he was a tiny, sleepy pup. Now he’s six months old. Suddenly he’s all grown up.

Six Month Old Rubble with Owner Mike | Photo: Wendy Pike

Rubble the bulldog puppy at Christmas Beer Festival | Photo: Wendy Pike

Also caught on camera accompanying their owners were Molly and Turbo from Brentwood.

Also Whoopi Goldberg, Milo and Jackson from Pilgrims Hatch.

Whoopi Goldberg & Owner Keiron | Photo: Wendy Pike

Perhaps they had all sniffed out news of the brewery’s special Sherlock Bones dog biscuits? Sherlock Bones are additive free and handmade locally using just three natural ingredients – the brewery’s spent grain, flour and egg.

Sherlock Bones are available from the brewery shop (£3.50 per packet).

Apologies to any canine festival goers who missed our photographer. There’s always next time. Our Summer Beer Festival is on Saturday 8th June.

Love Beer, Love Brentwoof!

Spring Beer Fest Fun

25 Apr 2019

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by Wendy

After rain, chilly winds, hailstones and even a few flakes of snow, the sun finally shone on Brentwood Brewery’s Spring Beer Festival, demonstrating the unlikely probability of getting four seasons in one day. With more than a dozen different cask, keg and draught beers to choose from, there was plenty for real ale fans to enjoy.

“Our Spring Beer Festival (Saturday 13th April) went very well indeed. We were delighted to welcome so many visitors to the brewery and we’d like to thank everyone who came along to support the festival.”

Roland Kannor, MD Brentwood Brewing Company

Spring Sunshine at Beer Festival | Photo: Wendy Pike

A very clever dog, Rusty, and his owner Sophie Biebuyck were among the brewery’s special guests, representing Hearing Dogs for Deaf People and raising awareness for the charity.

“People often don’t consider the impact of hearing loss as it’s not something you can see. It can be very isolating. Rusty makes an invisible problem, visible. He has been trained to alert deaf people to everyday sounds and is a very practical help. He tells me when the alarm clock goes off or the door bell rings and the cooker timer too.”

Sophie Biebuyck

As Bennetts Funerals are supporting the charity this year, they joined Rusty and Sophie at the festival.

Jane Bennett, Sophie Biebuyck & Hearing Dog Rusty | Photo: Wendy Pike

“Having met the two members of this great partnership last year I realised what a fantastic difference Rusty has made to Sophie’s life.
“The more the profile can be raised for Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, hopefully the more money can be raised to provide hearing dogs for other people too.”

Managing Director Jane Bennett

Returning to the brewery were Jay and Tracy Weekes of J W Ice Cream Company from Chafford Hundred with their luxury range of artisan ice creams including some of their alcohol-infused ones (just for the grown ups). Their latest product is a Chockwork Orange beer infused ice cream.

Jay & Tracy Weekes of JW Ice Cream Company | Photo: Wendy Pike

“We’ve been giving out free samples to see if people like them. It’s in the development stage at the moment. We’ll be working with Brentwood Brewing Company and hopefully the Chockwork Orange ice cream will soon be available to buy at the brewery.”

Tracy Weekes

One festival goer and Chockwork fan gave the new ice cream an immediate thumbs up.

After collecting a second tub of the ice cream and with a pint of Chockwork in hand, Daniel Jackson from Harold Hill said:

“I like the ice cream and the beer itself. They pair extremely well.”

Daniel Jackson

Local band, The Locals, from Herongate provided the musical entertainment. For the musicians and singers: Alan Kemp, Dan Tucker, Phil Way, Paul Hansen, Alan Binks and Pete Hewitt, it was their first performance at the brewery.

“We enjoyed ourselves too and look forward to a return gig.”

Band leader Alan Kemp

The Locals will be playing more Rock and Roll at their next gig at The White Horse in Coxtie Green on Saturday 27th April.

Vicky Fitzpatrick, Will Aldiss and Jodie Bell of the Cartshed Restaurant, Epping also returned to the brewery. This time the trio cooked a large hog roast, roast chicken and snacks which were well received by hungry festival goers.

Vicky Fitzpatrick, Will Aldiss and Jodie Bell | Photo: Wendy Pike

“We’re always on the lookout for different local charities to come along to our events and to raise awareness about the work they do. So if any charities in the Brentwood and surrounding area would like to get in touch, we’d love to hear from them. The same goes for any local bands too. Please get in touch.

“The next beer festival at Brentwood Brewery is on Saturday 8th June, complete with 20 touring Mustangs.”

Roland Kannor

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Author Helps Launch Workhouse IPA

02 Apr 2019

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by Wendy

The collaboration beer by Billericay and Brentwood Breweries
celebrating their new friendly, co-operative working relationship was launched
at Billericay’s Spring Beer Festival with help from local author Sylvia Kent.

At the launch, writer and author Sylvia supped a small taster of the new beer,
Workhouse IPA 5%, which has a link to the latest local history book she is
writing. Her twelfth book, Brentwood in 50 Buildings, published by Amberley,
is due out this summer and depending upon the final edit should include
Brentwood’s surviving workhouse building.

Sylvia Kent Trying *Workhouse IPA* | Photo: Wendy Pike

“Judged by today’s standards, the very idea of the workhouse and family separation – a routine and accepted part of workhouse life – seems barbaric.”

Sylvia Kent, Local Historian, Writer & Author

Dave Golding, Ethan Kannor, Roland Kannor, Sylvia Kent & Trevor Jeffery Photo: Wendy Pike

Brentwood’s surviving workhouse building, dating back to 1788, is at 27 Hart
Street formerly known as Back Street. Extended in 1805 to accommodate
more paupers, the building has also been a bordello. And since at least the
1880s, a pub. It is currently The Gardeners.

Workhouse Building Now Luxury Homes | Photo: Sylvia Kent

Serving 26 parishes, Billericay Union Workhouse was built in 1840 and was
also later extended. The workhouse building at Grey Lady Place off Norsey
Road has more recently been converted into luxury private homes.

“We went for the name Workhouse as there were workhouses in both Billericay and Brentwood and we know brewing beer is very hard work!”

Billericay Brewing Company Director Trevor Jeffery.

Competition

Workhouse IPA, was named in a competition won by Graham Seal of
Colchester via his Facebook page, Mancave Beer Reviews. He won an 18
pint Polypin of the new beer. Everyone who entered the competition received
a free pint voucher.

Trevor Jeffery Handing Out Samples of *Workhouse IPA* | Photo: Wendy Pike

Free Samples

The brewers were encouraged by feedback from festival goers who sampled
some free tasters at Billericay’s Spring Beer Festival. Consensus was that
the light, citrusy, floral ale would be especially refreshing in the summer.

The New England style IPA was expertly brewed by Brentwood’s Head
Brewer Ethan Kannor and Billericay Brewer Dave Golding using a mixture of
malts and five different hops including some not so common ones like Rakau,
Teiheke from New Zealand and English Olicana.

Workhouse IPA will be available in bottles later this month

“We’re hoping our Workhouse brings people together to enjoy themselves. Workhouse IPA will certainly be on the beer list at our Spring Beer Festival on Saturday 13th April at Brentwood Brewery.”

Brentwood Brewing Company MD Roland Kannor

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Launching Workhouse IPA

14 Mar 2019

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by Wendy

A new collaboration brew celebrating the friendly, closer working relationship between Brentwood and Billericay breweries, Workhouse IPA 5%, is to be launched at Billericay Brewery’s Spring Beer Festival on Thursday 21st April at 4pm.

The two breweries are extending an invitation to real ale fans to join them at the beer launch to raise a toast to local craft breweries and to taste some Workhouse IPA ‘a hoppy little number’, expertly brewed by Head Brewer Ethan Kannor from Brentwood and Brewer Rob Heywood from Billericay.

Video: Rob Heywood, Working Hard Brewing Workhouse IPA

As you might expect the exact recipe is a trade secret, but the breweries have revealed that Workhouse IPA contains a mixture of malts and five different hops including some more uncommon ones like Rakau and Teiheke from New Zealand and English Olicana.

Workhouse IPA’s Mixture of Malts

Name the Beer Competition

A free competition was held recently to determine the name of the new beer which was won by Graham Seal of Colchester who got in touch via his Facebook page, Mancave Beer Reviews. Everyone who entered the competition will be receiving a voucher for a free pint and Graham wins an 18 pint Polypin of Workhouse IPA.

“We went for Workhouse as there were workhouses in both Billericay and Brentwood and we know brewing beer is very hard work!” said Billericay Brewing Company Director Trevor Jeffery.

Brentwood’s Old Workhouse Building is Now a Pub

Workhouse buildings remain in both towns but now serve very different purposes.

Brentwood’s only surviving workhouse building (there were several) dates back to 1788 and has been a pub since at least the 1880s. The building in Back Street, now known as Hart Street, was extended in 1805 to accommodate more paupers. Number 27 Hart Street is still a pub. It’s The Gardeners.

Local Historian, Writer and Author Sylvia Kent:

“Judged by today’s standards, the very idea of the workhouse and family separation – a routine and accepted part of workhouse life – seems barbaric,” said Billericay based local historian, award-winning writer and established author, Sylvia Kent.

Billericay Workhouse Served the Poor From 26 Parishes

Billericay Workhouse 1900
Old Postcard With Thanks to Local Historian Sylvia Kent

Billericay Union Workhouse was built in 1840 following the 1834 Poor Law Amendment Act. With increasing demand from the 26 parishes it served, the workhouse was later extended. More recently the former workhouse building at Grey Lady Place off Norsey Road was converted into luxury private homes.

Former Billericay Workhouse Now Luxury Homes – Photo by Sylvia Kent

Sylvia Kent added: “The 1834 Act was aimed at discouraging people from applying for charity by ensuring that the lowest level of paid work outside the workhouse would be preferable to the degrading and arduous life within its’ walls.

“Only those exempted by extreme infirmity were not expected to earn their keep, often by means of hard and tedious tasks, such as oakum picking (unravelling lengths of rope), stone-breaking (for use in paths and roads), gardening, and the mainly female province of domestic or nursing work.

“In the belief that their parents’ need to seek charity constituted ‘a bad influence’, children were routinely separated from their parents. Family members rarely met whilst resident within the workhouse walls.”

Hopes for Workhouse IPA

Brentwood Brewing Company MD Roland Kannor said: “We’re rather hoping our Workhouse IPA brings people together to enjoy themselves over a well-deserved pint, at both breweries’ spring beer festivals. Firstly at the beer launch at Billericay Brewery on 21st March and at Brentwood Brewery on Saturday 13th April where we’ll be serving a range of cask and draught ales all brewed in Brentwood. Our new collaboration brew Workhouse IPA will certainly be on the beer list.”

Spring Beer Festivals

Billericay Brewery’s Spring Beer Festival runs 21st – 24th March. The beverage list includes more than 20 beers along with wines, ciders and perries. The festival is open Thursday 1-10.30pm, Friday & Saturday 11am – 10.30pm and Sunday 11am – 7pm. Billericay Brewery is just off the High Street at 54c Chapel Street, Billericay, CM12 9LS.

Brentwood Brewery’s Spring Beer Festival is Saturday 13th April 11am – 5pm at Brentwood Brewery, Calcott Hall Farm, off Ongar Road, Pilgrims Hatch, Brentwood, CM15 9HS.

Love Beer, Love Brentwood

How to Win 18 Pints of Beer

08 Feb 2019

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by Wendy

How would you like to win 18 pints of beer? All you have to do is enter our free Name the Beer competition by sending your suggestions to us at Brentwood Brewery by 28th February.

The beer that needs a name is the collaboration brew we’ve just created with Billericay Brewing Company, a new IPA 5% ABV.

Please contact us by email ([email protected]) with Beer Name Competition Entry in the title or via Twitter or Facebook, @BrentwoodBrewCo. Reminder: Closing date is 28th February.

The winner, who will be picked jointly by Roland from Brentwood and Trevor from Billericay, will receive an 18 pint Polypin of the new collaboration brew.

This collaboration ale is a celebration of the new friendly agreement that exists between us and Billericay Brewery, to work more closely and co-operatively together.

The new collaboration IPA is due to be officially launched on March 21st at Billericay Brewing Company’s Spring Beer Festival which runs 21st – 24th March.

We’re holding our own Spring Beer Festival at Brentwood Brewery from 11am – 5pm on Saturday 13th April.